THE 



LIVES 



PATRIOTS AND HEROES, 



DisriNcri9H£D IN Tnn battlei for 



AMERICAN FREEDOM 



By JOHN S. JENKINS, 

ArriioR OF "NKw clerk's assistant," "political history 

OF NEW VORK," fcC. fcC. 



AUBURN: 

riMW.lSHED HY J. C. DKRBY Sc CO. 



e: 



.I4fe 



Enteesc, according to Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hun 
dred and forty-seven, by 

JAMES C. DERBY & CO., 

ia the Cierk'6 Office of the District Ccurt of the United States for 

the Northern District of New York, 



H. MONTGOMERY, PKINTER, 

Adams' Power Press. 



P RE FACE 



The Ibllowing pages scarcely require an in- 
troduction to the American reader. There 
are a thousand recollections garnered in his 
heart, which will prove far more eloquent in 
their commendation, than any language the 
writer could employ. 

The biographical sketches here given, are 
designed to present the most prominent inci- 
dents in the lives of the distinguished patri- 
ots, to whose efibrts, in the dark and perilous 
times of the Revolution, we owe the civil and 
religious blessings whicli we now enjoy. It 
is to their patience in adversity, their cou- 
rage in the midst of danger, and their mode- 
ration in tlio hour of victory, that we are in- 
debted for what we are, and what we are 
destined to become. 



iV / PREFACE. 

This debt of gratitude can never be repaid. 
But the citizens of the Union, and especially 
the rising generationj may do much to mani- 
fest their thankfulness, by treasuring in their 
minds the storied records of 1776. By con- 
tinuing to cherish the memories of the gallant 
soldiers who fought so nobly and so well, 
they may, at least, convince the world, how 
deep and enduring are the monuments of af- 
fection, which they have reared in their 
hearts — how true it is, that while 

' The living soon from earth are passed, 
The dead— —endure forever '' 



CONTENTS 



ETHAN ALLEN. 

His Birth and Parentage. — His Education. — Early De- 
velopment of his fearless and remarkable Character — 
Embarks in the Enterprise against Quebec. — Surprises 
Ticonderoga. — His Account of the Attack. — Takes 
Croicn Point. — /// advised Attack upon Montreal. — 
Taken Prisoner and sent to England. — Enfrlish Cm- 
eltij to American Prisoners — E.cchanged. — Hif^ Return 
to Vermont, and sudden death. — ///*■ Character. IG 



DANIEL BOONE. 
Reflections upon the Indian Character an.'l Barbarity. — 
Boone's Parentage and Birth. — His Emigration to Ken- 
tucky. — Captured by the Indians. — Murder of one of 
his Companions and Return of the others. — Description 
of the Country. — Visits his Family. — Remnrcs perma- 
nently to Kentucky, in company with several other Fami- 
liet. — Attacked by the Indians ami several Killed. — Eji- 
counters 7iew Dijjicnlties. — Another Fight irith the In- 
dians. — Captured by them. — Boonshorough taken. — 
Retreat to Detroit. — Return to Boonshorough and Battle 
nrith the Indian*. — Their Treachery. — His Family 
again return to Kentucky. — Bloody Battle loilh the In- 
dians and Canadians. — Peace tcifh the Savages. — Co- 
lonel Boone's Death. '^'t 



fi GORGE CLINTON. 
His Farf" r i. m eriytrn from Ireland and Settles in Orange 
County. — His Birth. — His Early and Valuable Services 
in the French War. — Completes the Study of the Law. — 
Election to the Colonial Legislature, and to Congress. — 
A Member of the latter when the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence was a lopfed, and n Zealous Advocate of the 



VI CONTENTS. 

same. — Reason of the non-appearance of his name on 
that Instrument. — Elected first Governor of New York. 
— Appointed to an Important Command by Congress. — 
His Gallant Defence of Forts Montgomery and Clinton. 
— An account of the Engagement. — Declines the Election 
of Governor, on account of ill health, after having held 
the office Eighteen Years. — A Candidate for the office 
of Vice Presilent. — Agrdn Elected Governor. — Elected 
Vice President in 1805 and 1309. — His Death and Cha- 
racter. 63 



HORATIO GATES. 

His Birth and Education. — Enters the Army. — His rapid 
Promotion. — Offers his Services to theColonies, and, is ap' 
pointed Adjutani-General. — Withdraws from the North- 
ern Army. — Disasters of the American Army. — General 
Gates again ordered to take Command of the Northern 
Army. — Assumes the Command. — Severe Conflict be- 
tween the Americans under Colonel Morgan, and the 
British under Philips and Reidesel. — Critical Situation 
of Burgoyne. — Battle between Burgoyne and Gates. — 
Surrender of Burgoyne. — Effect of the Capture of the 
British Army. — General Gates' and Convjays Intrigues 
against Washington. — Appointed to the Command of 
the Southern Army. — Defeated by General Cornioallis. — 
Superceded by General Greene. — Court Martialed and 
Acquitted. — HisDeath. — His Character. 73 

NATHANIEL GREENE. 

Birth and Paren'age. — His early love of Learning and 
capacity for Business. — Elected to the Legislature. — 
Enters the Army at the head of Rhode Island Provin- 
cials, and joins Washington- — Renders valuable aid 
to Washington at the Battle of Trenton ; also in the 
Bittle of Princeton. — Appointed Commissary General. 
— Battle of Monmouth. — His Engagement with the Bri- 
tish at Springfield. — Execution of Anire. — Appoi?iied 
to Command of So^ithern Army. — Battle of Guilford 
Court House and Retreat of CornwalHs. — Battle of 
Camlen. — Unsuccessful Attack upon Fort Ninety-Six. — 
Battle of Eutaw Springs. — Gratitude of the States to- 
wards him. — Removes to Georgia. — His Character. 115 



CONTENTS Vll 



NATHAN HALE. 



His noble, selj sacrificing Devotion to the Conntry. — Crini' 
innl Neplvct of Alrmori/. — His Mclnncholy Fate. — Vol- 
unteers to cross over to Lon^ Island to ascertain the 
numberK, position and movements of the British Army, 
after the defeat of the Americans in the Battle of Long 
Is/and. — Detected and Arrested as a Spy. — Avoirs his 
Attachment to the American Cause, and the Object of his 
Vi.\it. — Orders for his Earecvtio7i. — Barbarous treat' 
meut nfth e En srlish befo re h is Death . His noble bearing 
and /lis clttcrfvl Resignation to his cruel Fate. 173 



HENRY KNOX. 

His Birlh and Education. — Early enters the American 
Service — Undertakes and accumplishrs a most hazard- 
ous Enterprise. — Apjiinted to the Comviand of the 
Ar/illery Corps. — His Gallant Conduct at Trenton, 
Brandywine, Germanfoun and Monmouth. — His clrsc 
intimacy u-ith Washinstcn, throughout the War. — 
VVashiniTfon's icarm attachment to him. — Appointed to 
the Command of IVest Point. — Employed to Disband 
the Army. — Appointed Secretary of War. — lietircs to 
his vast Estate in Maine. — Appointed to the Command 
of the Amt rican Forces in anticipation of a War irith 
France. — His Literary Attainments, and noble traits of 
character. — The opinions entertained of his Military 
Talents, by eminent Foreign Generals. 179 



RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 
Hi* Birth. — Enters the Army. — Hesigns his Commission 
in tliC British Army, and emif;i ates to America. — Settles 
in Xcw Yrrk. — Enters the American Service and ap. 
pointed n Bri'radier General. — Captures St. .Johns and 
Montreal. — Marches to attack Quebec. — Summons the 
Gnrriiion to Surrender . — Storms the City. — His Death 
vhile leading his Troops to the Attack. — All hopes of 
Success abandvnid after this Melancholy Benilf.— Pa- 
rallel betirern the character, cfvduct and destiny of 
General Montgomery and General Wolfe. — His re- 
markable Militaiy Talents.— His disinterested Ser- 
vices in the American Cavae. — His noble trails of Cha- 
racter. 197 



Vlll CONTENTS, 

ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

His Birth-place. — His early indications of Energy and 
Courage. — Remarkable adventure roith a Wolf. — En- 

' S'^8^^ ^''^ ^^'^ French War. — His mimei-ous daring £.r- 
ploits. — Taken Prisoner by the hidians. — Attempt to 
Roast him alive. — Taken to Montreal and exchanged. — 
Early resistance of the aggressions o^ England. — At 
the first breaking out of hostilities, enters the American 
Army at Cambridge. — His gallant conduct at the battle 
of Bunker Hill, and his many valuable services in the 
American cause. — Retires to his farm and spends his 
days with his Family. — His death. — A71 incident illus- 
trating his humane character. 219 



JOHN STARK. 

His Birth-j)lace. — Taken Captive and adopted by the In- 
dians, in his youth. — Commands a. company in the old 
French and Indian War. — Early espouses the America7i 
Cause, and appointed Colonel. — Battle of Bunker Hill, 
and his Brave Conduct; also at Trenton. — Receives the 
appointment of Brigadier General. — Stays upon the 
rear and harasses Burgoyne. — Brilliant Victory of Ben- 
nington. — Receives a vote of thanks from Co7igress. — 
Burretider of Burgoyne at Saratoga. — Retires from the 
army at the close of the war, and devotes himself to 
peaceful pur s7iits. — His death. 26'! 

JOHN SULLIVAN. 

Birth-place. — Enters the Continental Army, and assigned 
to the Command of the Forces sent against Canada. — 
Appointed Major Cxeneral. — Defeated and taken prison- 
er at the Battle of Long Island. — Exchanged — His 
gallant conduct at the Battle of Germnntown. — His 
operations against the British in Rhode Island. — SuC' 
cessful Expedilio7i against the Indians in Pennsylvania. 
— Resigns hin Commission in the Army and resumes 
the practice of his Profession. — Receives the degree of 
Doctor of Law. — Elected Governor of New Hamp- 
shire. — Appointed United States District Judge. — His 
Death. " 279 



ETIIAi\ ALLEN 



nU Birth and Parentage.-^His Education. —Earl if De- 
velopment of his fearlfst and remarkable Character.^ 
His active Agency in the Difficulties betv^een the Green 
Mountain Boys and New York.- Appointed their Lead, 
er.— Large Reward offered for his Arrest by the Land- 
holders.— Embarks in the Enterprise against Quebec- 
Surprises Ticonderoga.—His Account of the Attack.— 
Takes Croicn Point.— Ill advised Attack upon Mon- 
treal.— Taken Prisoner and sent to England.— English 
C» uelty to American Prisoners.— Exchanged.— His Re- 
turn to Vermont, and sndden Death.— His Character. 

Ethan Allkn was bom in tlie town of Sa- 
hsbury, Connecticut. His parents emigrated 
to the state of Vermont while he was in his 
infancy, and he was consequently deprived 
of the advantages of an early education. He 
possessed, however, a strong, though uncul- 
tivated mmd ; he was cool and resolute in 
danger ; prompt in forming a determination, 



18 ETHAN ALLEN. 

and fearless in its execution. Nurtured amid 
the wild scenes of his forest home, his spirit 
became deeply imbued with sentiments pe- 
culiar to such a condition ; and, while yet a 
mere youth, he exhibited many striking in- 
dications of the fearlessness and intrepidity 
which distinguished his subsequent career. 

In 1770, a difficulty arose betv/een the 
Green Mountain Boys, as the first settlers of 
Vermont were called, and the government of 
New York, in which Allen bore a prominent 
part. His instinctive sense of right and love 
of justice, united to his natural boldness of 
character, induced him to take a decided 
stand in opposition to the proceedings of the 
colony of New York. He was selected by 
the inhabitants as their leader, and wrote 
several pamphlets, setting forth the injustice 
and oppression of which they had been the 
victims, and encouraging them to resist such 
treatment for the future. His unsparing de- 
nunciations alarmed the speculating land- 
holders, whose rapacity had occasioned the 
disturbance, to such a degree, that they pro- 
cured the passage of an act of outlawry 
against him ; and a reward of five hundred 



ETHAN ALLEN. 19 

guineas was offered for his apprehension. It 
is not known that any very serious efforts 
were put forth to secure him, and if the at- 
tempt had been made, it is aUogether proba- 
ble that it would have terminated in a com- 
plete failure. The honest and hardy yeo- 
manry of the country were, almost to a man, 
warmly enlisted in his favor; and if the sig- 
nal of danger had once been given, a thou- 
sand stout hearts and strong hands would 
have been prompt to rescue and to defend 
him. 

Shortly after the close of these disturban- 
ces, the smothered indignation of the colo- 
nists, at the repeated aggressions of the En- 
glish government, burst out into an open 
flame. The bloodshed and devastation at 
Concord and Lexington, aroused the patriot- 
ism of the country to the highest pitch. Al- 
len, who then held the rank of colonel in the 
niihtia, was among the first to feel its influ- 
ence. The importance of securing the com- 
munication with Quebec, by way of the 
Lakes Champlain and George, in case hos- 
tihties were actually commenced, had long 
been understood ; and as tlie object could 



20 ETHAN ALLEN. 

only be attained by a prompt and decisive 
movement, a plan was formed by Colonel Al- 
len and several gentlemen in the colony of 
Connecticut, for the capture of Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point, by surprise. The command 
of the expedition was entrusted to him, and, 
at the head of two hundred and thirty Green 
Mountain Boys, whom he had hastily col- 
lected and armed, without waiting for in- 
structions from any constituted authority, he 
proceeded to Castleton. At this place he was 
joined by Colonel Arnold, who had been com- 
missioned by the Massachusetts Committee 
of Safety, to raise a body of four hundred 
men for the purpose of accomplishing the 
same object. The force under Allen reached 
the lake opposite Ticonderoga, on the eve- 
ning of the 9th of May, 1775. With great 
difficulty, a sufficient number of boats was 
procured to land eighty-three men near the 
garrison. A dispute here arose, between the 
two leaders, as to which should have prece- 
dence in the command. Both became highly 
exasperated. Arnold swore that he would 
lead the men, and enter the fort first ; while 
Allen swore as pointedly that he should not. 



ETHAN ALLEN. 21 

The altercation was finely settled, by a sort 
of compromise. It was agreed that both 
should go ill together ; Allen on the right and 
Arnold on the left. The commandant of the 
post did not entertain the least suspicion of 
danger, and had become quite careless in 
maintaining the discipline of the garrison. 
Early on the morning of the 10th of May, 
he was surprised in bed, by Allen, Arnold, 
and a few of their followers, who had en- 
tered the fort, and made themselves masters 
of it, without losing a single man. The fol- 
lowing account of this transaction, is given 
by Alien himself: 

''The first systematical and bloody at- 
tempt at Lexington, to enslave America, tho- 
roughly electrified my mind, and fully deter- 
mined me to take a part with my country. 
And wliile I was wishing for an opportunity 
to signalize myself in its behalf, directions 
were privately sent to me from the then co- 
lony, now state, of Connecticut, to raise the 
Green Mountain Boys, and, if possible, with 
them to surprise and take the fortress of Ti- 
conderoga. This enterprise I cheerfully un- 
dertook ; and, after first guarding all the so- 



22 ETHAN ALLEN. 

veral passes that leH thither, to cut off all in- 
telligence between the garrison and the coun- 
try, made a forced march from Bennington, 
and arrived at the lake, opposite Ticondero- 
ga, on the evening of the 9th day of May, 
with two hmidred and thirty valiant Green 
Mountain Boys ; and it was with the utmost 
difficulty that I procured boats to cross the 
lake. However, I landed eighty-three men 
near the garrison, and sent the boats back 
for the rear guard, commanded by Colonel 
Seth Warner ; but the day began to dawn, 
and I found myself necessitated to attack the 
fort before the rear could cross the lake, and, 
as it was viewed hazardous, I harangued 
the officers and soldiers in the manner fol- 
lowing: 

u ''Priends and Fellow Soldiers: — You 
have, for a number of years past, been a 
scourge and a terror to arbitrary powers. 
Your valor has been famed abroad, and ack- 
nowledged, as appears by the advice and or- 
ders to me from the General Assembly of 
Connecticut, to surprise and take the garri- 
son before us. I now propose to advance be- 
fore you, and in person conduct you through 



ETHAN ALLEN. 23 

the wicket gate; for we must this morning 
either quit our pretensions to valor, or possess 
ourselves of this fortress in a few minutes ; 
and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, 
which none but the bravest of men dare un- 
dertake, I do not urge it on any, contrary to 
his will. You that will undertake volunta- 
rily, poise your firelocks.' 

" The men being at this time drawn up in 
three ranks, each poised his firelock. I or- 
dered them to face to the right, and, at the 
head of the centre file, marched them imme- 
diately to the wicket gate aforesaid, where I 
found a sentry posted, who instantly snap- 
ped his fusee at me. I ran immediately to- 
wards him, and he retreated through the co- 
■ vered way into the parade, within the garri- 
son, gave a halloo, and ran under a bomb 
proof My party, who followed me into the 
fort, I formed on the parade, in such a man- 
ner as to face the barracks, which faced each 
other. The garrison being asleep, except the 
sentries, we gave three huzzas, which greatly 
surprised them. One of the sentries made a 
pass at one of my officers, with a charged 
bayonet, and slightly wounded him. My 



24 ETHAN ALLEN. 

first thought was to kill him with my sword, 
but in an instant I altered the design and fu- 
ry of the blow to a slight cut on the side of 
the head; upon which he dropped his gun 
and asked quarters, which I readily granted 
him, and demanded the place where the com- 
manding officer slept. He showed me a pair 
of stairs in the front of the garrison, which 
led up to the second story in said barracks, 
to which I immediately repaired, and order- 
ed the commander. Captain Delaplace, to 
come forth instantly, or I would sacrifice 
the whole garrison; at which time the cap- 
tarn came immediately to the door with his 
breeches in his hand, when I ordered him to 
dehver to me the fort instantly. He asked me 
by what authority I demanded it? I an- 
swered him, ' In the name of the great Jeho- 
vah, and the Continental Congress.' The 
authority of Congress being very little known 
at that time, he began to speak again; but I 
interrupted him, and with my drawn sword 
near his head, again demanded an immedi- 
ate surrender of the garrison, with which he 
then complied, and ordered his men to be 
forthwith paraded without arms, as he had 



ETHAN ALLEN. 25 

given up the garrison. In the mean lime, 
some of my oflicers had given orders, and, in 
consequence thereof, sundry of the barrack 
doors were beat down, and about one third 
of the garrison imprisoned, which consisted 
of said commander, a Lieutenant FeUham, a 
conductor of artillery, a gunner, two ser- 
geants, and forty-four rank and file; about 
one hundred pieces of cannon, one thirteen 
inch mortar, and a number of swivels. This 
surprise was carried into execution in the 
gray of the morning, of the lOth of May, 
1775. The sun seemed to rise that morn- 
ing with a superior lustre ; and Ticonderoga 
and its dependencies smiled on its conquerors, 
who tossed about the flowing bowl, and 
wished success to Congress, and tlie Liberty 
and Freedom of America. Happy it was 
for me, at that time, that the future pages 
of the book of fate, which afterwards unfold- 
ed a miserable scene of two years and eight 
months' imprisonment, were hid from my 
view." 

The foregoing version of this affair is some- 
what higlily colored, but it is, in the main, 
undoubtedly authentic Colonel Allen did 



26 ETHAN ALLEN. 

not act. however, under instructions from the 
General Assembly of Connecticut, although 
several indiAddual members of that body were 
concerned in the expedition. Neither was 
his demand of the surrender of the fort, in 
point of fact, made in pursuance of any au- 
thority from the Continental Congress. Con- 
gress knew nothing about the matter, and its 
first meeting was held some hours after the 
transaction. They subsequently approved of 
the enterprise, and earnestly recommended it 
to the people of New York and Albany, to 
remove the captured cannon and stores to 
the south of Lake George, and to preserve 
them, in order that they might be returned, 
on the restoration of the former harmony be- 
tween Great Britain and the colonies. 

The party under the command of Allen 
and Arnold, proceeded from Ticonderoga to 
Crown Point, which was also taken without 
a struggle. In addition to this, they surpri- 
sed Skenesborough, and a sloop of war, the 
only vessel belonging to the British navy on 
the lakes. The brilliant and successful ter- 
mination of this expedition, secured to Colo- 
nel Allen a distinguished reputation for dar- 



ETHAN ALLEN. 27 

ing'aiid intrepidity, and he soon became an ac- 
tive participator in tlie struggles of his coun- 
trymen to obtain their independence. In the 
fall of 1775, an expedition against Canada 
was fitted out by Congress, and placed under 
the command of General Schuyler, who sub- 
se*qucntly returned to Albany on account of 
his ill health, and was succeeded by General 
Montgomery. Colonel Allen accompanied 
this expedition, and on several occasions en- 
tered into the Canadian territory for the pur- 
pose of discovering the state of feeling of the 
inhabitants, and persuading them to make 
common cause with the revolted colonists. 
After the capture of Fort Chamblee, and 
while the army were besieging Fort St. John, 
Colonel Allen was sent by General Montgo- 
mery, with a guard of eighty men, on a tour 
through the villages in the neighborhood. 
On his return, he was met by a Major Brown, 
who had been employed on a similar errand. 
A rash and hasty plan was formed between 
them, for the capture of Montreal. Allen 
was to cross the river with his party, and 
land on the island a little north of the city ; 
while Brown was to pass over on the south 



28 ETHAN ALLEN. 

side, with a force of near two hundred men. 
Allen crossed the river in the night, but 
Brown was compelled to abandon his part 
of the enterprise and return to camp. Al- 
though the intelligence of this fact was com- 
municated to Allen, in time for him to effect 
his escape, he refused to return, and rashly- 
concluded to maintain his ground, at all ha- 
zards. His presence in the vicinity of the 
city with such an inferior force, was soon 
made known to General Carleton, the officer 
in command, who immediately attacked him 
with a large body of English, Canadians and 
Indians, amounting, in the whole, to several 
hundred men. Allen fearlessly kept his po- 
sition, in spite of such fearful odds ; but the 
loss of fifteen of his men, who were killed in 
the action, and the desertion of a still larger 
number, finally compelled him, though con- 
trary to his inclinations, to surrender. He 
and his little party, now reduced to thirty- 
eight men, were made prisoners. 

In the earlier stages of the Revolution, the 
British officers appeared to regard the Ame- 
ricans, solely as rebels, deserving the seve- 
rest punishment, and not entitled to that kind 



ETHAN ALLEN. 29 

and gentle treatment usually shown to pri- 
soners of war, in civilized countries. Hence, 
the captured Americans were subjected to in- 
numerable hardships, and made the victims 
of the most barbarous and unsparing cruelty. 
Colonel Allen was immediately put in irons, 
which, he states in his narrative, were un- 
commonly heavy, and so fastened that he 
could not lie down otherwise than on his 
back. A simple chest was his seat by day, 
and his bed by night. Various threats and 
menaces were employed to intimidate him, 
but without effect. Finding these of no avail, 
the most flattering inducements were held out 
to him, to join the British service. Among 
other promises, was that of a high command 
in the army, and a large tract of the con- 
quered country. His reply to this insulting 
proposition was, that he viewed their offer of 
conquered United States land, to be similar 
to that which the devil offered to Jesus 
Christ; to give him all the kingdoms of the 
world, if he would fall down and worship 
him, when, at the same time, the poor devil 
had not one foot of land upon earth. 

Not long after his capture, Allen was sent 



30 ETHAN ALLEN. 

to England as a traitor, still loaded with 
irons. He arrived in that country in De- 
cember, and was lodged for a short time in 
Pendennis Castle, near Falmouth. On the 
8th day of January, 1776, he was put on 
board a frigate, and again conveyed to Hali- 
fax, by a circuitous route. Here he remain- 
ed, closely confined in jail, from June to Oc- 
tober, when he was removed to New York. 
While on board the frigate, a design on the 
part of the prisoners to kill the captain and 
seize the vessel, was frustrated through the 
generosity of Allen, who would not suffer a 
man to be injured who had treated him with 
kindness. He was kept at New York about 
a year and a half, sometimes imprisoned, and 
sometimes on parole. While there, he had 
an opportunity of observing the unparalleled 
inhumanity with which the American prison- 
ers were treated. Many of the men died 
from cold and hunger. In one of the church- 
es in which they were crowded. Colonel Al- 
len saw seven lying dead at one time, and 
others biting pieces of chips, from hunger. 
A large number of prisoners were confined 
in the New York jail, where they were 



ETHAN ALLEN. 31 

Starved to death by the keeper, Captain Cun- 
ningham, "who was afterwards hung in Eng- 
land for perjury, and confessed on the gal- 
lows the death of between two and three 
thousand, by starvation, that he might sell 
their rations. This estimate corresponds 
with that made by Colonel Allen, who gives 
it as his opinion, that of the prisoners taken 
on Long Island, and at Fort Washington, 
near two thousand perished by hunger and 
cold, or in consequence of diseases occasion- 
ed by the impurity of their food, and their 
prisons. 

On the Gth of January, 1778, Colonel Al- 
len was exchanged for Colonel Campbell, 
who, with two hundred and seventy men, 
had been captured in the Bay of Boston, 
while sailing for the harbor, ignorant of the 
evacuation of the town by the British. After 
repairing to head (piarters, and ollbring his 
services to General Washington, in the event 
of the restoration of his health, which had 
been greatly impaired during his long and 
tedious confinement. Colonel Allen returned 
to Vermont. He was received by his friends 
with tlie most enthusiastic demonstrations of 



32 ETHAN ALLEN. 

their deep interest in his wehare, and their 
constant and unvarying attachment to his 
person. His arrival was announced by the 
discharge of cannon, and there were various 
other exhibitions of the respect and esteem 
in which he was held by his fellow citizens. 
He was soon appointed to the command of 
the state militia, but never again called upon 
to test that daring courage of which he had 
given such undeniable proof. An attempt 
was made by the British to induce him to 
exert his influence in favor of uniting Ver- 
mont to Canada, but he spurned, as he had 
before done, all the tempting allurements of 
place and power. He died suddenly on his 
estate, February 13th, 1789, universally re- 
gretted and deplored. 

There are many anecdotes related of Colo- 
nel Allen, illustrative of the manliness, the 
integrity, and the fearlessness and indepen- 
dence of mind, which were such prominent 
features in his character; but they are so 
marred with the unfortunate peculiarities of 
his conversation, that it seems unwise to re- 
peat them here. Reared, as he was, in a 
wilderness, and entirely uneducated, it was 



ETHAN ALLEN. 33 

wot Strange that he should have adopted some 
singular notions in rc^^ard to rehgion. Al- 
though the contrary might very easily he in- 
ferred iVom his hahits, and his manner of 
speaking, he was not really a corrupt man 
at heart. We have almost conclusive evi- 
dence of this, in the many ennobling traits of 
his disposition. He was a kind and gene- 
rous friend, a sincere hater of oppression and 
wrong, an honest and incorruptible patriot, 
and a brave and fearless soldier. 



DANIEL BOONE. 



Rejlectiont upon the Indian Character and Barbarity.—' 
Boone's Parentage and Birth. — His Emigratioii to Ken' 
lucky. — Captured by the Indians. — Murder of one of 
hit Companions and Return of the others. — Descrip' 
tion of the Country. — Visits his Family. — Removes per' 
rnanently to Kentucky, in company with several other 
Familirg. — Attacked by the Indians and several Killed. 
— Encounters new Difficulties. — Another Fight icith the 
Indians. — Captured by them.—Boonsborough taken.— 
Retreat to Detroit. — Return to Boonsborough and Bat- 
tle with the Indians. — Their Treachery. — His Family 
again return to Kentucky. — Bloody Battle with the In- 
dian* and Canadians. — Peace with the Savages. — Co- 
Ivncl Boone's Death. 

Among tho many instruments employed by 
the English (Government, to force the Ame- 
rican colonists into submission, none were 
more liarsli, or merciless, than the savage 
tribes on the western frontier. Passionate 
and vindictive in disposition, wily and cun- 



36 DANIEL BOONE. 

ning in entrapping an enemy, untiring and 
determined in the accomplishment of their 
designs, cold-blooded and relentless in the 
execution of the most horrid w^ork of butche- 
ry, they were but the ready tools of a power 
which cared not what passion, or vice, or 
prejudice, was aroused, so that it could be 
made to minister to its aggrandizement. The 
tenderness of infancy, and helplessness of 
age, formed no protection against the hostile 
incursions of the Indian. The last rays of 
the setting sun fell, in all their warmth and 
beauty, on the little hamlet, smiling in con- 
tentment and peace ; and a hundred hearts 
were there, filled with gratitude to God, and 
with affection and love for the absent ones, 
who had rallied around the standard of their 
country, to repel the invader. Morning came, 
and its genial beams were frozen, where they 
lingered on the broken hearth-stone, or amid 
the smoking embers which commingled with 
the ashes of so many helpless victims of ra- 
pine and oppression. All had perished. The 
innocence of youth, and the loveliness of wo- 
manhood, had only served to nerve the hand 
and steady the aim of the midnight assassin, 



DANIEL BOONE. 37 

who luul hastenod from the; scene of carnage 
and blood, to recciv^e the gold of tlie Briton, 
in exchange for the cnrhng tresses of the 
child, and the long, waving locks of its mo- 
ther. Horrors like these, were of freqnent 
occurrence during the war of the Revolution. 
Indeed, it would seem as if the British au- 
thorities were fre([uently actuated, in the em- 
ployment of their Indian allies, by the desire 
of humbling the husband and father, through 
his fears for the safety of those who were 
bound to him by the tenderest of all human 
ties ; for there is nothing that can strike such 
terror to the heart of man, as the thought of 
injury to the fond and trusting wife who 
clinsjs to hiui through weal and through 
woe, or to the children wlio have been taught 
to look up to him for protection and support. 
The frontiers of Pennsylvania, New York, 
and Virginia, were especially afllictcd by the 
barbarities of savage warfare. An expedi- 
tion against tlie Indians, was fitted out in the 
western settlements of Virginia, in the sum- 
mer of 177S, which was placed under the 
command of ('olonel (ieorge Rogers Clarke. 
At the head of a body of nulitia, he penetra- 



38 DANIEL BOONE. 

ted to the British settlements on the Missis- 
sippi, and captured the town of Kaskaskias. 
The governor of the place was taken prison- 
er, and it appeared from the written instruc- 
tions which were secured with him, that Co- 
lonel Hamilton, the governor of Detroit, was 
exceedingly active in planning and encour- 
aging the incursions of the Indians into the 
United States. At Kaskaskias, Colonel Clarke 
was cut off from all support, in case of any 
sudden emergency, and was surrounded by 
some of the most numerous and hostile tribes 
on the continent. He at once determined on 
a bold plan of operations, and suddenly at- 
tacked the Indians in their villages, and com- 
pletely routed and scattered them. In the 
winter of 1779, he attacked Colonel Hamilton 
himself, who was laying at St. Vincent with 
a small force, for the purpose of directing the 
movements of his Indian friends, and succeed- 
ed in capturing him and his whole party. 
The result of this enterprise disconcerted the 
whole of Hamilton's plans, and saved the 
western frontier from the cruelties which had 
been devised against it. Among the most ef- 
ficient coadjutors of Clarke, in checking the 



DANIEL BOONE. 39 

inroads of the cruel savage, was Colonel 
Daniel Boone, whose name figures more con- 
spicuously than that of any other individual, 
in the annals of Indian warfare in the Mis- 
sissippi Valley. 

Colonel Hoone was of English descent, and 
was born about the year 1730, near Bridge- 
north, in Somersetshire. While he was still 
a mere youth, his parents emigrated to Ame- 
rica, and settled in North Carolina, where he 
was bred to the profession of arms, and en- 
tered into the colonial service at an early age. 
lie passed through all the inferior gradations, 
to the post of colonel, in which capacity he 
subsequently distinguished himself, after his 
removal to Kentucky, as one of the most ac- 
tive, zealous, and useful pioneers in the set- 
tlement of that territory. His campaigns 
with the Indians during a period of thirteen 
years, are often referred to in the history of 
the country. He ha-s given a pithy and gra- 
phic account of his adventures, which is sub- 
joined, as it is believed to furnish the most ac- 
curate information in regard to the subject, 
which can, at this time, be procured. 

" It was on the first of May, 1769," says 



40 Daniel boone, 

the narrative of Colonel Boone, "that I re- 
signed my domestic happiness, and left my 
family and peaceful habitation on the Yad- 
kin river, in North Carolina, to wander 
through the wilderness of America, in quest 
of the country of Kentucky, in company 
with John Finley, John Stuart, Joseph Hol- 
den, James Morey, and William Cool. On 
the seventh of June, after travelling through 
a mountainous wilderness, in a western di- 
rection, we found ourselves on Red river, 
where John Finley had formerly been tra- 
ding with the Indians ; and from the top of 
an eminence, saw with pleasure the beauti- 
ful level of Kentucky. For some time we 
had experienced the most uncomfortable wea- 
ther. We now encamped, made a shelter to 
defend us from the inclement season, and be- 
gan to hunt and reconnoitre the country. 
We found abundance of wild beasts in this 
vast forest. The buffaloes were more nu- 
merous than cattle in other settlements, brow- 
sing upon the leaves of the cane, or cropping 
the herbage of these extensive plains. We 
saw hundreds in a drove, and the numbers 
about the salt springs were amazing. In this 



DANIEL BOONE. 41 

forest, the habitation of beasts of every Ame- 
rican kind, we hunted with success, until 
December. 

•M)n the 2'2d of December, John Stuart 
and 1 liad a pleasing ramble ; but fortune 
changed the day at the close of it. We had 
passed through a great forest, in which stood 
myriads of trees; some gay Avith blossoms, 
others rich with fruits. Nature had here a 
series of wonders, and a fund of delights. 
Here she displayed her ingenuity and indus- 
try in a variety of flowers and fruits, beau- 
tifully colored, elegantly shaped, and charm- 
ingly flavored: and we were diverted with 
nuinbcrlcss animals, presenting themselves 
perpetually to our view. In the decline of 
the day, near the Kentucky river, as we de- 
scended the brow of a small hill, a number 
of Indians rushed out of a thick cane brake, 
and made us prisoners. They plundered us, 
and kept us in confinement seven days. Du- 
ring this time we discovered no uneasiness or 
desire to escape, which made them less sus- 
pi( ious; but in the dead of night, as we lay 
by a large fire in a thick cane brake, when 
sleep had locked up their senses, my situa- 



42 DANIEL BOONE. 

tion not disposing me to rest, I gently awoke 
my companion. We seized this favorable op- 
portunity and departed, directing our course 
towards our old camp ; but found it plunder- 
ed, and our companions dispersed or gone 
home. About this time, my brother, Squire 
Boone, with another adventurer, who came 
to explore the country shortly after us, was 
wandering through the forest^ and acciden- 
tally found our camp. Notwithstanding our 
unfortunate circumstances, and our dan- 
gerous situation, surrounded by hostile sava- 
ges, our meeting fortunately in the wilder- 
ness, gave us the most sensible satisfaction. 
"Soon after this, my companion in cap- 
tivity, John Stuart, was killed by the sava- 
ges ; and the man that came with my bro- 
ther returned home by himself. We were 
then in a dangerous, helpless situation, ex- 
posed daily to perils and death, amongst sa- 
vages and wild beasts, and not a white man 
in the country but ourselves. Thus, many 
hundred miles from our families, in the howl- 
ing wilderness, we did not continue in a state 
of indolence, but hunted every day, and pre- 
pared a little cottage to protect us from the 



DANIEL BOONE. 43 

winter storms. We met with no disturbance 
during tlie winter. On the first of May, 1770, 
my brother returned home by himself, for a 
new recruit of horses and ammunition, lea- 
ving me alone, without bread, salt, or sugar, 
or even a horse or dog. I passed a few 
days uncomfortably. The idea of a beloved 
wife and family, and their anxiety on my ac- 
count, would have exposed me to melan- 
choly, if 1 had further indulged the thought. 
One day I undertook a tour through the coun- 
try, when the diversity and beauties of nature 
I met with in this charming season, expelled 
every gloomy thought. Just at the close of 
the day, the gentle gales ceased ; a profound 
calm ensued ; not a breath shook the tremu- 
lous leaf I had gained the summit of a com- 
manding ridge, and looking round with as- 
tonishment and delight, beheld the ample 
plains and beauteous tracts below. On one 
hand, the famous Ohio, rolling in silent dig- 
nity, and marking the western boundary of 
Kentucky with inconceivable grandeur. At a 
vast distance, 1 beheld the mountains lift their 
venerable brows and penetrate the clouds. 
All things were still. I kindled a fire near a 



4-1 DANIEL EOONE. 

fountain of sweet water, and feasted on the 
loin of a buck, which a few hours before I 
had killed. The shades of night soon over- 
spread the hemisphere, and the earth seemed 
to gasp after the hovering moisture. My ex- 
cursion had fatigued ni}^ body, and amused 
my mind. I laid me down to sleep, and 
awoke not until the sun had chased away 
the night. 

' ' I continued this tour, and in a few days 
explored a great part of the country, each day 
equally pleased as the first ; after which I re- 
turned to my old camp, which had not been 
disturbed in my absence. I did not confine 
my lodging to it, but often reposed in thick 
cane brakes, to avoid the savages, who, I be- 
lieved, often visited my camp, but fortunately 
during my absence. No populous city with 
all the varieties of commerce and stately 
structures, could afford so much pleasure to 
my mind as the beauties of nature I found in 
this country. Until the 27th of July, I spent 
the time in an uninterrupted scene of sylvan 
pleasures, when my brother, to my great fe- 
licity, met me, according to appointment, at 
our old camp. Soon after, we left the place, 



DANIEL BOONE. 45 

and proceeded to Cumberland river, recon- 
noitrcing that part of the country, and giving 
names to the dilVerent rivers. In March, 1771 , 
I returned home to my family, being deter- 
mined to bring them, as soon as possible, at 
the risk of my life and fortune, to reside in 
Kentucky, which I esteemed a second para- 
dise. On my return, I found my family in 
happy circumstances. I sold my farm at 
Yadkin, and what goods we could not carry 
with us ; and on the 2.5th of September, 1773, 
we bade farewell to our friends, and proceed- 
ed on our journey to Iventucky, in company 
with five more families, and forty men, that 
joined us in Powell's valley, which is one 
hundred and fifty miles from the now settled 
parts of Kentucky ; but this promising begin- 
ning was soon overcast with a cloud of ad- 
versity. On tiie 10th of October, the rear of 
our company was attacked by a number of 
Indians, who killed six, and wounded one 
man. Of thes(\ my eldest son wns one that 
tV'll in the action. Thougli we repulsed the 
enemy, yet this unhappy alfair scattered our 
cattle, brought us into extreme difficulty^, and 
so discouraged the wliole company, that wc 



46 DANIEL BOONE. 

retreated forty miles, to Clench river. We 
had passed over two mountains, Powell's 
and Walden's, and were approaching Cum- 
berland mountains, when this adverse fortune 
overtook us. These mountains are in the 
wilderness, in passing from the old settle- 
ments in Virginia to Kentucky, are ranged 
in a southwest and northeast direction, are 
of great length and breadth, and not far dis- 
tant from each other. Over them, nature has 
formed passes, less difficult than might bs 
expected from the view of such huge piles. 
The aspect of these cliffs is so wild and h ir- 
rid, that it is impossible to behold them with- 
out terror. Until the 6th of June, 1774, I 
remained with my family on the Clench, 
when I and Michael Stoner were solicited by 
Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, to conduct 
a number of surveyors to the falls of Ohio. 
This was a tour of near eight hundred miles, 
and took us sixty-two days. On my return, 
Governor Dunmore gave me the command 
of three garrisons, during the campaign 
against the Shawanese. In March, 1775, 
at the solicitation of a number of gentlemen 
of North Carolina, I attended their treaty at 



DANIEL BOONE. 47 

Wataga, with the Cherokee Indians, to pur- 
chase the lands on the south side of Ken- 
tucky river. 

"After this, I undertook to mark out a 
road in the best passage from the settlements 
through the wilderness to Kentucky. Hav- 
ing collected a number of enterprising men, 
well armed, I soon began this work. We 
proceeded until we came within fifteen miles 
of where Boonsborough now stands, where 
the Indians attacked us, and killed two, and 
wounded two more. This was the 20th of 
March, 1775. Three days after they attack- 
ed us again ; we had two killed and three 
wounded. After this, we proceeded on to 
Kentucky river, without opposition. On the 
first of April, we began to erect the fort of 
Boonsborough, at a salt lick, sixty yards from 
the river, on the south side. On the 4th, they 
killed one of our men. On the 14th of June, 
having finished the fort, I returned to my 
family on the Clench. Soon after, I removed 
my family to this fort. We arrived safe ; my 
wife and daughters being the first white wo- 
men that stood on the banks of the Kentucky 
river. December 21th, the Indians killed 



48 DANIEL BOONE. 

one man and wounded another, seeming de- 
termined to persecute us for erecting this fort. 
July 14th, 1776, two of Colonel Cal way's 
daughters and one of mine, were taken pri- 
soners near the fort. I immediately pursued 
the Indians, t^ith only eighteen men. On the 
16th, I overtook them, killed two of them, 
and recovered the girls. The Indians had 
divided themselves into several parties, and 
attacked on the same day, all our settlements 
and forts, doing a great deal of mischief. 
The husbandman was shot dead in the field, 
and most of the cattle were destroyed. They 
continued their hostilities until the loth of 
April, 1777, when a party of one hundred of 
them attacked Boonsborough, and killed one 
man and wounded four. July 4th, they at- 
tacked it again with two hundred men, and 
killed us one, and wounded two. They re- 
mained forty-eight hours, during which we 
killed seven of them. All the settlements 
were attacked at the same time. July 19tli, 
Colonel Logan's fort was beseiged by two 
hundred Indians. They did much mischief. 
There were only fifteen men in the fort ; they 
killed two, and wounded four of them; In- 



DANIEL BOONE. 49 

dians' loss unknown. July 25 th, twenty- 
five men came iVoni Carolina. About Au- 
gust 20th, Colonel Bowman arrived with one 
hundred men from Virginia. Now we began 
to strengthen, and had skirmishes with the 
Indians almost every day. 

•' The savages now learned the superiority 
of the long knife^ as they call the Virgini- 
ans ; being outgeneraled in almost every bat- 
tle. Our aflau's began to wear a new as- 
pect ; the enemy did not now venture open 
war. but practiced secret mischief January 
1st. 1778, I went with thirty men to the Blue 
Licks, on Licking river, to make salt for the 
dilfercnt garrisons. February 7th, hunting 
by myself, to procure meat for the company, 
I met a party of one hundred and two In- 
dians, and two Frenchmen, marching against 
Boonsborough. Thoy pursued and took me. 
The next day I capitulated for my men, 
knowing they could not escape. They were 
twenty-seven in number, three having gone 
home with salt. The Indians, accorduig to 
the capitulation, used us generously. They 
carried us to Old Chillicothe, the principal 

Indian town on the liittle Miami. On the 
4 



60 DANIEL BOONE. 

18th of February, we arrived there, after an 
imcomfortable journey, in very severe wea- 
ther. On the 10th of March, I and ten of 
my men were conducted to Detroit. On the 
30th, we arrived there, and were treated by 
Governor Hamilton, the British commander 
at that post, with great humanity. The In- 
dians had such an affection for me, that they 
refused one hundred pounds sterhng, offered 
them by the governor, if they would leave 
me with the others, on purpose that he might 
send me home on parole. Several English 
gentlemen there, sensible of my adverse for- 
tune, and touched with sympathy, generously 
offered to supply my wants, which I declined 
with many thanks, adding, that I never ex- 
pected it would be in my power to recom- 
pense such unmerited generosity. On the 
10th of April, they brought me towards Old 
Chillicothe, where we arrived on the 25th 
day of the same month. This was a long 
and fatigueing march, through an exceedingly 
fertile country, remarkable for fine springs 
and streams of water. At Chillicothe I spent 
my time as comfortably as I could expect; 
was adopted; according to their custom, into 



DANIEL BOONE. 61 

a family., where I became a son, and had a 
great share in the affections of my new pa- 
rents, brothers, sisters and friends. I was 
exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, 
always appearing as cheerful and satisfied as 
possible, and they put great confidence in me. 
I often went a hunting with them, and fre- 
quently gained their applause for my activity. 
At our shooting matches, I was careful not 
to exceed many of them in shooting ; for no 
people are more envious than they are there, 
in this sport. I could observe in their coun- 
tenances and gestures the greatest express- 
ions of joy when they exceeded me, and 
when the reverse happened, of envy. The 
Shawanese King took great notice of me, 
and treated me with profound respect and 
friendship, often entrusting me to hunt at my 
liberty. 1 frequently returned with the spoils 
of the woods, and as often presented some of 
what 1 had taken to him, expressive of my 
duty to my sovereign. My food and lodging 
was in common with them ; not so good, in- 
deed, as I could desire, but necessity made 
every thing acceptable. I now began to me- 
ditate an escape, but carefully avoided giving 



52 DANIEL BOONE. 

suspicion. Until the 1st of June, I continued 
at Old Chillicothej and then was taken to the 
Salt Springs on the Sciota, and kept there 
ten days, making salt. During this time I 
hunted Avith them, and found the land, for a 
great extent about this river, to exceed the 
soil of Kentucky, if possible, and remarkably 
well watered. On my return to Chillicothe, 
four hundred and fifty of the choicest Indian 
warriors were ready to march against Boons- 
borough, painted and armed in a dreadful 
manner. This alarmed me, and I determined 
to escape. On the 16th of June, before sun- 
rise, I went off secretly, and reached Boons- 
borough on the 20th ; a journey- of one hun- 
dred and sixty miles, dining which I had 
only one meal. 

" I found our fortress in a bad state ; but 
we immediately repaired our flanks, gates, 
and posterns, and formed double bastions, 
which we completed in ten days. One of 
my fellow prisoners, escaping after me, 
brought advice, that on account of my flight, 
the Indians had put off" the expedition for 
three weeks. About August 1st, I set out 
Avith nineteen men, to surprise Point Creek 



DANIEL BOONE. 53 

Town, on Sciota. Within four miles we fell 
in with thirty Indians going against Boons- 
borough. AVc fought, and the enemy gave 
way. We suffered no loss. The enemy had 
one killed and two woimded. We took three 
horses and all their baggage. The Indians 
having evacuated their town, and gone al- 
together against Boonsborough, we returned, 
passed them on the Gth day. and on the 7th 
arrived safe at Boonsborough. On the 8th, 
the Indian army, four hundred and forty-four 
in number, commanded by Captain Duquesne 
and eleven other Frenchmen, and their 
own chiefs, came and surrounded the fort. 
I requested two days' consideration, which 
they granted. During this, we brought in, 
througli the posterns, all the horses and other 
cattle we could collect. On the 9th, in the 
evening. I informed their commander, that 
we were determined to defend the fort while 
a man was living. They then proposed a 
treaty, and said, if we sent out nine men 
to conclude it, they would withdraw. The 
treaty was held within sixty yards of the fort, 
as we suspected the savages. The articles 
were agreed to and signed ; when the Indians 



54 DANIEL BOONE. 

told US it was their custom for two Indians 
to shake hands with every white man, as an 
evidence of friendship. We agreed to this 
also. They immediately grappled us to take 
us prisoners; but we cleared ourselves of 
them, though surrounded by hundreds, and 
gained the fort safe, except one that was 
wounded by a heavy fire from their army. 
On this they began to undermine the fort, be- 
ginning at the water mark of Kentucky river, 
which is sixty yards from the fort. We dis- 
covered this by the water being made mud- 
dy with the clay, and countermined them by 
cutting a trench across their subterranean 
passage. The enemy discovering this, by 
the clay we threw out of the fort, desisted. 
On the 20th of August, they raised the siege. 
During this dreadful siege, we had two men 
killed and four wounded. We lost a num- 
ber of cattle. We killed thirty-seven of the 
enemy, and wounded a great number. We 
picked up one hundred and twenty-five 
pounds of their bullets, besides what stuck 
in the logs of the fort. Soon after this, I 
went into the settlement, and nothing worthy 
of notice passed for some time. 



DANFEL BOONE. 55 

*• 111 July. 1779, during my absence, Colo- 
nel Bowman, with one hundred and sixty 
men, went against the Shawanese of Old 
Chillicothe. He arrived undiscovered ; a bat- 
tle ensued, which lasted till ten in the morning, 
when Colonel Bowman retreated thirty miles. 
The Indians collected all their strength and 
pursued him, when another engagement en- 
sued tor two hours, not to Colonel Bowman's 
advantage. Colonel Harrod proposed to 
mount a number of horses, and break the en- 
emy s line, who at this time fought with re- 
markable fury. This desperate measure had 
a happy eflect, and the savages fled on all 
sides. In these two battles, we had nine men 
killed and one wounded. The enemy's loss 
was uncertain, only two scalps being taken. 

"June 22d, 1780, about six hundred Indians 
and Canadians under Colonel Bird, attacked 
Riddle and Martin's stations, and the forts of 
Licking river, with six pieces of artillery; 
they took all the inhabitants captive, and 
killed one man and two women, and loaded 
the others with the heavy baggage, and such 
as failed were tomahawked. The hostile 
disposition of the savages caused General 



56 DANIEL BOONE. 

Clarke, the commandant at the falls of Ohio, 
to march with his regiment and the armed 
force of the country, against Peccaway, the 
principal town of the Shawanese, on a branch 
of the Great Miami, which he finished with 
great success, took seventeen scalps, and 
burned the town to ashes, with the loss of 
seventeen men. 

"About this time, I returned to Kentucky 
with my family; for, during my captivity, 
my wife, thinking me killed by the Indians, 
had transported my family and goods, on 
horses, through the wilderness, amidst many 
dangers, to her father's house in North Caro- 
lina. The history of my difficulties in going 
and returning, is too long to be inserted here. 

" On the 6th of October, 1780, soon after my 
settling again at Boonsborough, I went with 
my brother to the Blue Licks : and, on our 
return, he was shot by a party of Indians ; 
they followed me by the scent of a dog, which 
I shot and escaped. The severity of the win- 
ter caused great distress in Kentucky, the en- 
emy during the summer having destroyed 
most of the corn. The inhabitants lived 
chiefly on buffalo's flesh. 



DANIEL BOONE. 57 

'' In the spring of 1782, the Indians ha- 
rassed us. In May. tliey killed one man at 
Ashton's station, and took a negro. Captain 
Ashton pursued them with twenty-five men ; 
and. in an engagement which lasted two 
hours, he was obliged to retreat, having eight 
killed and four mortally wounded. Their 
brave commander fell in the action. August 
10th, two boys were carried off from Major 
Hoy's station. Captain Holder pursued with 
seventeen men ; they were also defeated and 
lost four killed, and one wounded. Our af- 
fairs became more and more alarming. The 
savages infested the country, killing men at 
every opportunity. In a field near Lexing- 
ton, an Indian shot a man. and running to 
scalp him. was himself shot from the fort, 
and foil dead upon his enemy. All the In- 
dian nations were now imited against us. 

''August l.jth, five hundred Indians and 
Canadians came against Briant's station, five 
miles from Lexington. They assaulted the 
fort and killed all the cattle round it ; but be- 
ing repulsed, they retired the third day, ha- 
ving about thirty killed ; their wounded un- 
certain. The garrison had four killed and 



6o DANIEL BOONE. 

three wounded. August 18th, Colonel Todd, 
Colonel Trigg, Major Harland and myself, 
speedily collected one hundred and seventy- 
six men, well armed, and pursued the sava- 
ges. They had marched beyond the Blue 
Licks, to a remarkable bend of the main fork 
of the Licking river, about forty-three miles 
from Lexington, where we overtook them on 
the 19th. The savages observing us, gave 
way, and we, ignorant of their numbers, 
passed the river. When they saw our pro- 
ceedings, having greatly the advantage in 
situation, they formed their line of battle from 
one bend of the Licking to the other, about a 
mile from the Blue Licks. The battle was ex- 
ceedingly fierce for about fifteen minutes, 
when we, being overpowered by numbers, 
were obliged to retreat, with the loss of sixty- 
seven men, seven of whom were taken pri- 
soners. The brave and much lamented Co- 
lonels Todd and Trigg, Major Harland, and 
my second son, were among the dead. We 
were afterwards told, that the Indians, on 
numbering their dead, finding that they had 
four more killed than we, four of our people 
that they had taken were given up to their 



DANIEL BOONE. 69 

young warriors, to be put to death after their 
barbarous manner. 

" On our retreat we were met by Cojonel 
Logan, who was hastening to join us, with 
a number of well-armed men. This pow- 
erful assistance we wanted on the day of 
battle. The enemy said one more fire from 
us would have made them give way. I can 
not reflect upon this dreadful scene, but sor- 
row fills my heart. A zeal for the defence 
of their country led these heroes to the scene 
of action, though with a few men, to attack 
a powerful army of experienced warriors. 
AVhen we gave way, they pursued us with 
the utmost eagerness, and in every quarter 
spread destruction. The river was difhcult 
to cross, and many were killed in the flight ; 
some just entering the river, some in the wa- 
ter, others after crossing, in ascending the 
cliffs. Some escaped on horseback ; a few 
on foot : and, being dispersed every where, 
a few hours brought the melancholy news 
of tlie unfortunate battle to Lexington. Ma- 
ny widows were now made. The reader 
may guess what sorrow filled the hearts of 



60 DANIEL BOONE. 

the inhabitants, exceeding any thing I am 
able to describe. 

'' Being reinforced, we returned to bury 
the dead, and found their bodies strewed ev- 
ery where, cut and mangled in a dreadful 
manner. This mournful scene exhibited a 
horror almost unparalleled ; some torn and 
eaten by wild beasts ; those in the river eaten 
by fish ; all in such a putrefied condition that 
no one could be distinguished from another. 

"When General Clarke, at the falls of Ohio, 
heard of our disaster, he ordered an expedi- 
tion to pursue the savages. We overtook 
them within two miles of their towns, and 
we should have obtained a great victory had 
not some of them met us when about two 
hundred poles from their camp. The sava- 
ges fled in the utmost disorder, and evacua- 
ted all their towns. We burned to ashes 
Old Chillicothe, Peccaway, New Chillicothe, 
Willstown and Chillicothe ; entirely destroy- 
ed their corn and other fruits, and spread de- 
solation through their country. We took 
seven prisoners and five scalps, and lost only 
four men ; two of whom were accidentally 
killed by ourselves. 



DANIEL BOONE. 61 

" This campaign dampened the enemy, yet 
tiiey made secret incursipns. In October, a 
party attacked Crab Orchard; and one of 
them, being a good way before the others, 
boldly entered a house, in which were only a 
woman and her children, and a negro man. 
The savage used no violence, blit attempted 
to carry olf the negro, who happily proved too 
strong for him, and threw him on the ground, 
and in the struggle the woman cut off his 
head with an axe, whilst her little daughter 
shut the door. The savages instantly came 
up, and applied their tomahawks to the door, 
when the mother, putting an old rusty gun 
barrel through a crevice, the savages went 
olf. 

•• From thai time until the happy return of 
peace between the United States and Great 
Britain, the Indians did us no mischief Soon 
after the Indians desired a peace. Two dar- 
ling sons and a brother, I have lost by sa- 
vage hands, which have also taken forty 
valuable horses, and an abundance of cattle. 
.Many dark and sleepless nights have I spent, 
separated from the cheerful society of men, 
scorclicd by summer's sun. ;uid pinched by 



62 DANIEL BOOxNE. 

the winter's cold, an instrument ordained to 
settle the wilderness. But now the scene 
is changed, and peace crowns the sylvan 
shade." 

Colonel Boone lived much respected and 
beloved, to an advanced age, and died in the 
midst of a numerous posterity, for whom he 
had endured so many trials and hardships. 
His name is still held in grateful remem- 
brance in the valley of the Mississippi, and 
his daring exploits form the themes of many 
a wild legend, and border tale. 



GEORGE CLINTON 



Hit Father Emigrates from Ireland and Settlet in Orange 
County. — His Birth. — His Early and Valuable Services 
in the French War. — Completes the Study of the Law. — 
Election to the Colonial Legislature, and to Congress.—' 
A Member of the latter when the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence was adopted, and a Zealous Advocate of the 
tame. — Reason of the non-appearance of his name on 
that Instrument. — Elected first Governor of New York. 
— Appointed to an Important Command by Congress. — 
Hit Gallant Defence of Forts Montgomery and Clinton. 
— An account of the Engagement. — Declines the Election 
of Governor, on account of ill health, after having held 
the ojjice Eighteen Years. — A Candidate for the office 
of Vice President. — Again Elected Governor. — Elected 
Vice President in 1805 and 1Q09.— Hit Death and Cha- 
racter. 

Few names figure more conspicuously in 
the history of the state of New York, than 
that of George Clinton. His father was an 
emigrant from Ireland, and settled at an 



64 GEORGE CLINTON, 

early period in Little Britain, Orange county. 
He was much respected for his patriotism 
and private virtues ; at one time officiated as 
a county judge, and was a colonel in the 
British army which invaded Canada during 
the French war. George was the youngest 
son, and was born on the 26th of July, 1739. 
He was bred to the profession of the law, but 
before the completion of his studies, he joined 
the expedition under General Amherst, and 
assisted in the reduction of Montreal. He 
particularly distinguished himself in this 
campaign by the capture, with four gun 
boats, after a severe engagement, of a French 
brig of eighteen guns. 

After the termination of the war, he re- 
sumed his professional studies, and, on their 
completion, he was appointed clerk of the 
county of Ulster, by Sir Henry Clinton, the 
colonial governor of New York, to whom, 
it is said, he was distantly related. Not- 
withstanding this connection, he was one of 
the earliest friends of the American cause. 
He was repeatedly elected to the colonial 
legislature, and was generally regarded as 
the leader of the whig party in that body. 



GEORGE CLINTON. 65 

His talents and patriotism rendered him 
highly popular, and he was soon known as 
one of the most active and zealous patriots 
of the day. In 1775, he was returned as a 
member of Congress, and was present at the 
adoption of the Declaration of Independence 
on the 4th day of July, 1776. It is scarcely 
necessary to say, that that measure received 
his unqualified assent. His appointment as 
brigadier general of the militia of his native 
state, compelled him to vacate his seat before 
the Declaration was engrossed for signature, 
for which reason his name does not appear 
among the signers. 

General Clinton busily occupied himself 
in the discharge of the duties appertaining 
to his station, and made every exertion in 
his power to further the glorious cause in 
which he had always manifested such, a 
deep interest. A constitution having been 
adopted for the state of New York, in Apfit; 
1777, he was almost unanimously elected the 
first governor. In the same year he Avas 
appointed by Congress to the command of 
the posts in the Highlands. This duty was 
a most important and arduous one. General 
5 



66 GEORGE CLINTON. 

Burgoyne was advancing from the north, at 
the head of a numerous and well appointed 
army, with the intention of effecting a junc- 
tion with General Howe at Albany. The 
object of these movements was to cut off the 
New England states from the rest of the 
confederacy, and open a free communica- 
tion between Canada and New York. The 
Americans were determined to prevent the 
British forces from obtaining the command 
of the river, and furnishing General Bur- 
goyne with the supplies which he had in- 
i formed Sir Henry Clinton it was necessary 
he should have, in order to save his army 
from destruction, or, as the only alternative, 
an unconditional surrender. 

When the British ascended the river, Clin- 
ton assailed them from every prominent 
point. His gallant defence of Fort Mont- 
gomery with a handful of men, was highly 
honorable to his intrepidity and skill. We 
extunct the following description of the 
attack on Forts Montgomery and Clinton 
from the American Biographical Dictionary : 

''When the British reinforcements, under 
General Robertson, amounting to nearly two 



GEORGE CLINTON. 



thousand men, arrived from Europe, Sir 
Henry Clinton used the greatest exertion, 
and availed liimself of every favorable cir- 
cumstance, to put these troops into imme- 
diate operation. Many were sent to suitable 
vessels, and united in the expedition, which 
consisted of about four thousand men, against 
the forts in the Highlands. Having made 
the necessary arrangements, he moved up 
the North River, and landed on the 4th of 
October at Tarry town, purposely to impress 
General Putnam, under whose command a 
thousand continental troops had been left, 
with a belief, that his post at Peekskill was 
the object of attack. At eight o'clock at 
night, the general comnumicated the intelli- 
gence to (lovernor Clinton, of the arrival of 
the British; and at the same time expressed 
his opinion respecting their destination. 
The designs of Sir Henry were immediately 
perceived by the Governor, who prorogued 
the Assembly on the following day, and 
arrived that night at Fort ^Montgomery. 

The British troops, in the meantime, were 
secretly conveyed across the river, and as- 
saults on our forts were meditated to bo 



68 GEORGE CLINTON. 

made on the 6th, which were accordingly 
put in execution, by attacking the American 
advanced party at Doodletown, about two ' 
miles and a half from Fort Montgomery. 
The Americans received the fire of the Bri- 
tish, and retreated to Fort Clinton. The 
enemy then advanced to the west side of the 
mountain, in order to attack our troops in 
the rear. Governor Clinton immediately 
ordered out a detachment of one hundred 
men towards Doodletown, and another of 
sixty, with a brass field piece, to an eligible 
spot on another road. They were both soon 
attacked by the whole force of the enemy, 
and compelled to fall back. It has been re- 
marked, that the talents, as well as the 
temper of a commander, are put to as severe 
a test in conducting a retreat, as in achiev- 
ing a victory. The truth of this Governor 
Clinton experienced, when, with great bra- 
very and the most perfect order, he retired 
till he reached the fort. He lost no time in 
placing his men in the best manner that 
circumstances would permit. His post, how- 
ever, as well as Fort Clinton, in a few 
minutes were invaded on every side. In the 



GEOUGE CLINTON. 6'.^ 

midst ol' tliis disheartening and appalUng 
disaster, lie was summoned, when the sun 
was only an hour high, to surrender in five 
minutes; but his gallant spirit refused to 
obey the call. 

" In a short time after, the British made a 
general and most desperate attack on both 
posts, which M-as received by the Americans 
with undismayed courage and resistance. 
Ofiicers and men, militia and continentals, all 
behaved alike brave. An incessant fire was 
kept up till dark, when our troops were over- 
powered by numbers, who forced the lines 
and redoubts at both posts. Many of the 
Americans fought their way out, others acci- 
dentally mixed with the enemy, and thus 
made their escape eflectualiy: for, besides 
being favored by the night, they knew the 
various avenues in the mountains. The 
governor, and his brother. General James 
Clintoiij who was wounded, were not 
taken." 

The whole number of American troops in 
the two forts at the time of the attack, was 
not far from six hundred. The force led by 
Colonel Campbell against Fort Montgomery 



70 GEORGE CLINTON. 

numbered nine hundred. Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, who commanded at the storming of Fort 
Chnton, had twelve hundred men with him. 
General Putnam had no suspicion of the real 
point of attack, till he heard the firing. He 
immediately despatched five hundred men 
to the assistance of the garrisons, but they 
arrived too late to render any efiectual 
service, and were obliged to return to camp. 
The British had about one hundred and fifty 
men killed and wounded. Colonel Camp- 
bell, Major Sill, and other officers, were 
among the slain. The Americans lost three 
hundred men in killed, wounded, and priso- 
ners. 

C4overnor Clinton was continued in the 
office of chief magistrate of the state of New 
York, for eighteen years in succession, at 
which time he declined being a candidate for 
re-election, alleging, as his reasons for this 
coarse, that his private affairs, which had 
been much neglected during his employment 
in the public service, and the impaired state 
of his health, rendered it necessary for him 
to retire from office without delay. In 1797, 
Governor Clinton was the republican candi- 



GEORGE CLINTON. I I 

date for Wqq President, but failed of securing 
his election. 

After the declension of Governor Jay in 
1800, Governor Clinton was again put in 
nomination for that office, and was elected 
by a large majority. In 1805, he was almost 
unanimously chosen Vice President of the 
United States, which office he continued to 
fill, having been re-elected in 1809, until the 
timo of his death, which took place at Wash- 
ington, on the 20tli day of April, 1812. For 
a long scries of years he had been recognized 
as the leader of the Republican party in 
New York. Their suffrages and influence, 
had elevated him to various places of trust 
and honor, and his death elicited a general 
and sincere expression of regret. '"While 
he lived, his virtue, wisdom and valor, were 
the pride, the ornament, and security of his 
country, and when he died, he left an illus- 
trious example of a well sj^ent life, worthy 
of all imitation.'' 



HOKATIO GATES 



His Birth and Education. — Enters the Anny. — His rapid 
Promotion. — Offers hin Services t» theColonies, and is ap- 
pointed Adjutani-Gencral. — WithdraKs from the North- 
ern Army. — Disastets of the American Army. — General 
Gates again ordered to take Command of the No7-ihern 
Army. — Assumes the Command. — Severe Conjlict be- 
tweeu the Americans under Colonel Morgan, and the 
British under Philips and Reidescl. — Critical Situation 
of Burgoyne. — Battle between Burgoyne and Gates. — 
Surrender of Burgoyne. — Effect of the Capture of the 
British Army. — General Gatrs^ and Conicay's Intrigues 
against Washington. — Appointed to the Command of 
the Southern Army. — Defeated by General Corntcallis. — 
Superceded by General Greene. — Court Martialed and 
Acquitted. — Returns to his Farm in Virginia. — His 
Death. — His Character. 

(JLNKKAi. Gates \va.s horn in England, in 
I he year 1728. He was educated for the 
niihtnry profession, and entered the Britisli 
service, as a heutenant. at an early age. He 



74 HORATIO GATES. 

was esteemed a faithful and competent officer, 
and soon rose to the rank of major, by re- 
gular promotion. At the capture of Marti- 
nique, during the French war, he acted as 
the aid of General Monckton. He was also 
one of the officers who accompanied the 
expedition under Braddock in 1755, against 
Fort Du Q,uesne, and was shot through the 
body. After the peace of Aix La Chapelle, 
he landed at Halifax, with the troops under 
the command of General Cornwallis. 

He subsequently retired from the army 
and purchased an estate in Virginia, where 
he resided at the breaking out of hostilities 
in 1775. Having become warmly attached 
to his adopted country, he felt bound to offer 
his services in the time of danger. His 
sympathy with the colonies, and his esta- 
blished military reputation, united to procure 
him the office of adjutant general of the 
American army, which was tendered to him 
by the Continental Congress, and cordially 
accepted. 

In July, 1775, he accompanied the com- 
mander-in-chief, General Washington, to the 
American camp at Cambridge, where he was 



HORATIO GATES. iO 

assiduously employed in the discharge of his 
official duties. He was afterwards trans- 
ferred to the army in Canada, and was 
associated with General Schuyler in the 
defence of the northern frontier. A dispute 
having arisen between these officers, in 
regard to their respective priority in the 
command, the matter was represented to 
Congress, who recommended them to co- 
operate harmoniously together. General 
Schuyler was shortly after directed to resume 
tlie command of the northern department; 
whereupon General Gates withdrew himself 
from it. He then repaired to head-quarters, 
with a portion of the army of Canada, and 
unit'nl witli the forces under General Wash- 
ington, in the month of September, 177G. 

The disastrous termination of the campaign 
in Canada, and the unfortunate condition of 
the troops under the command of General 
Schuyler, excited the most fearful apprehen- 
sions for the safety of the frontier. The 
British ministry had resolved to prosecute 
the war with the utmost vigor, and General 
Burgoyne, who had served during the pre- 
ceding campaign under General Carleton, in 



/b HORATIO GATES. 

the winter of 1777, was appointed to the 
command of the army destined for the 
invasion of New York. That officer had 
visited England, and concerted his plans 
with the ministry, who had furnished him 
with all the men and the materiel necessary 
for their execution. Besides a large train of 
artillery and a corps of artillerymen, more 
than seven thousand veteran troops, finely 
equipped, and hi a high state of discipline, 
were placed under his orders. In addition 
to this force, he had a great n amber of 
Canadians and savages. He was also as- 
sisted by several of the most distinguished 
officers in the service, among whom were 
Generals Philips, Frazer, Powel, Hamilton, 
Reidesel, and Specht; and a naval force 
under Commodore Lutwych, attended the 
expedition. 

After detaching Colonel St. Leger, with a 
body of light troops and Indians, amounting 
to about eight hundred men, by the way of 
Lake Ontario and the Mohawk river, to 
make a diversion in that quarter, and join 
the grand army on the Hudson, General 
Burgoyne left St. John's on the 16th of JunCj 



HORATIO GATES. Jl 

1777, with the main body of his force, sailed 
up Lake Champlain, and arrived at Crown 
Point much earher in the season than the 
Americans had anticipated. On the 30th he 
advanced cautiously on both sides of the 
channel separating the two lakes; and on 
the 1st of July his van appeared in sight of 
Fort Ticonderoga. This important post was 
commanded by General St. Clair, in the 
absence of General Schuyler, who had pro- 
ceeded to Albany for the purpose of expe- 
diting the supplies and reinforcements which 
he deemed necessary in order to check the 
advance of Burgoyne. 

An ineffectual attempt was made by 
General St. Clair to maintain his position, 
but as the enemy had taken possession of 
Sugar Hill, which commanded the fort, and 
were already mounting guns on it, a council 
of war was held, at which it was unani- 
mously determined to evacuate the post. 
Accordingly orders were immediately issued, 
and the American forces left the fort on the 
night between the 5th and Gth of July. 
Such was the rapidity of their movements 
that thev reached Castleton. tliirtv miles 



78 HORATIO GATES. 

from Ticonderoga, on the night succeeding 
the abandonment of the fort. After a 
fatigueing march through the woods, General 
St. Clair joined General Schuyler, at Fort 
Edward, on the 12th of July. A portion of 
his troops, forming the rear guard under 
Colonel Warner, were attacked on the 7thj 
by General Frazer, and completely routed. 
The Americans lost in this action three 
hundred and twenty-four men in killed, 
wounded, and prisoners ; the loss of the 
enemy was one hundred and eighty-three 
killed and wounded. These decisive advan- 
tages gave General Burgoyne the undisputed 
command of the whole country in the vi- 
cinity of the Lakes, and compelled the Ame- 
ricans to retire behind the Hudson. 

When the intelligence of these repeated 
disasters reached Congress, that body di- 
rected a recall of all the generals of ihe 
department, and an inquiry into their con- 
duct. General Gates was again directed to 
assume the command of the northern army, 
and arrived at the confluence of the Mohawk 
and Hudson, where General Schuyler had 
established himself, on the 19th of August. 



HORATIO GATES. 79 

General Schuyler had taken every precau- 
tion, in the meantime, to repair the losses 
consequent on the evacuation of Ticonde- 
roga, and to impede the progress of the 
enemy. The navigation of Wood Creek, 
above Fort Ann, was obstructed ; bridges 
were broken down, trees were felled across 
the roads, and all the horses, cattle, ammu- 
nition and stores, were brought out of the 
way of the royal anny. 

General Burgoyne soon prepared to 
advance to the Hudson. On proceeding up 
Wood Creek, he was obliged to remove the 
impediments and obstructions placed there 
by the orders of General Schuyler, and to 
restore the roads and bridges which had been 
destroyed. Above forty bridges were con- 
structed and repaired, one of which, entirely 
of log- work, was over a morass two miles 
wide. This prodigious labor was performed 
in a sultiy season of the year, and in a 
country swarming with insects. 

The failure of the attempts made by 
Burgoyne to capture the stores at Benning- 
ton, which was prevented by the brave 
Stark and his gallant followers, had, in some 



80 HORATIO GATES. 

degree, restored public confidence; and the 
intelligence soon after received, of the dis- 
astrous encounters of St. Leger's division 
with the militia under General Herkimer, 
and their rapid retreat from Fort Schuyler 
to Montreal, produced a most favorable turn 
in the prospects of the campaign. 

At this critical period in the condition of 
the northern army, when every thing was 
combining to pave the way for the glorious 
victory which ensued, General Gates arrived 
in the camp, and assumed the command. 
General Schuyler keenly felt the injustice 
which was done him, by allowing another 
to reap the fruits of his labors, but he con- 
tinued faithfully to obey the orders of Gen- 
eral Gates, until the surrender of Burgoyne 
terminated the contest. 

On the 30th of August, the British Gen- 
eral addressed a letter to General Gates, 
complaining of the harsh treatment expe- 
rienced by the loyalists who had been made 
prisoners at Bennington, and hinted at 
retaliation. The American commander an- 
swered the letter, and pointed to the atrocities 
perpetrated by the Indians under Burgoyne 



HORATIO GATES. 81 

and St. Leger, as furnishing a justification 
for an\^ severity which had been exercised. 
In reference to one barbarous act, which had 
roused the indignation of the people on tlic 
frontier, Gates said : 

'•That the savages of America should, in 
their warfare, mangle and scalp the unhappy 
prisoners who fall into their hands, is neither 
new nor extraordinary ; but that the famous 
Lieutenant General Burgoyne, in whom the 
fine gentleman is united with the soldier and 
scholar, should hire the savages of America 
to scalp Europeans, and descendants of Eu- 
ropeans; nay more, that he should pay a 
price for each scalp so barbarously taken, is 
more than will be believed in Europe, until 
authenticated facts shall, in every gazette, 
confirm the truth of the horrid tale. 

'* Miss McCrea, a young lady lovely to the 
sight, of virtuous character and amiable dis- 
position, engaged to an ofllcer of your army, 
was, with other women and children, taken 
out of a house near Fort Edward, carried in- 
to the woods, and then scalped and mangled 
in a most shocking manner. Two parents 

with their six children, were all treated with 
6 



82 HORATIO GATES. 

the same inhumanity, while quietly residing 
in their once happy and peaceful dwelling. 
The miserable fate of Miss McCrea was par- 
ticularly aggravated by her being dressed to 
meet her promised husband ; but she met her 
murderer employed by you. Upwards of 
one hundred men, women and children have 
perished by the hands of the ruliians, to 
whom, it is asserted, you have paid the price 
of blood!" 

Having by the most tedious and toilsome 
exertions, procured a supply of provisions for 
thirty days, and constructed a bridge of boats, 
General Burgoyne crossed the Hudson river 
on the 13th and 14th of September, and en- 
camped on the heights and plains of Sarato- 
ga, twenty miles below Fort Edward, and 
thirty-seven above Albany. 

General Gates, who had been joined by all 
the continental forces destined for the north- 
ern department, and received large reinforce- 
ments of militia, left his position, and pro- 
ceeded sixteen miles up the river, in the 
direction of the enemy, and formed a strong 
camp near Stillwater. On the evening of the 
17th, after considerable skirmishing with the 



HORATIO GATES. 83 

ligiit troops of his opponent, General Bur- 
goyne encamped within four miles of the 
American army, and spent the next day in 
repairing the roads and bridges, which was 
attended with some loss. About noon, on 
t!ie lllth of September, he put himself at the 
head of his right wing, and advanced through 
the woods to attack the Americans on their 
left, (jieneral Frazer and Colonel Brehman, 
with the grenadiers and light infantry, co- 
vered his right flank ; and the Indians, loy- 
alists and Canadians, proceeded in front; at 
the same time, the left wing and artillery, 
commanded by Generals Philips and Reide- 
sel, pursued their march along the great road 
near the river. 

The movements of the enemy were soon 
made known to (general Gates, and Colonel 
Morgan was detached, with his riflemen, to 
observe their motions and impede their pro- 
gress. This gallant oflicer met the advanced 
])arties in front of the British ric:htwing, and 
drove them back. General Burgoyne order- 
ed a strong detachment to their support, and 
after a severe and bloody conflict, Morgan 
was compelled, in turn, to give way. He 



84 HORATIO GATES. 

was at once reinforced, and the action be- 
came more general, continuing for three hours 
almost without intermission. A constant 
blaze of fire was kept up on both sides, and 
each party was alternately driven by the 
other. The British artillery, a portion of 
which was brought up by General Philips, 
through the woods, fell into the possession 
of the Americans at every charge, but so sud- 
den were the changes in their position, that 
they could neither turn the pieces upon the 
enemy, nor bring them off. 

Notwithstanding the severity of the con- 
flict, such was the order preserved, and the 
resolute bravery of the American troops, that 
the wounded men, after having their wounds 
dressed, in many instances returned with re- 
newed courage to their positions in the ranks. 
Several of the American riflemen placed 
themselves on high trees, and as often as 
they could distinguish an officer's uniform, 
took deliberate aim at his person. The 
British tried the bayonet repeatedly, but not 
with their usual success. Between three and 
four in the afternoon. General Arnold, with 
nine continental regiments, and Morgan's ri- 



HORATIO GATES. 85 

flrmrn, was closely engaged with the whole 
right wing of the British army. Both parties 
fought \\ ith determined courage, and were 
only separated by the darkness of the night. 
Tlie Americans withdrew to their camp, and 
the British troops lay on their arms on the 
field of battle. 

In this engagement, the loss of the British 
was upwards of five hundred, in killed and 
wounded. The Americans lost three hundred 
and nineteen, including the killed, wounded 
and missing. General Arnold and Colonel 
Morgan distinguished themselves by their 
gallant bearing on this occasion. They re- 
peatedly exposed their persons to the hottest 
tire of the enemy, and were seen in the thick- 
est of the fight, urging and cheering on their 
brave followers. Lieutenant Colonel Brooks, 
with the 8th Massachusetts regiment, re- 
mained on the field until eleven o'clock, and 
was the last to retire. .Ahijor Hull conmiand- 
ed a detachment of three hundred men, who 
fought with such bravery that more than 
half of them were killed. The loss of the 
enemy was in some instances still more se- 
vere. Thirty-six out of forty-eight artille- 



86 



HORATIO GATES. 



rists were either killed or wounded^ and the 
62d regiment, which was five hundred strong 
when it left Canada, was reduced to sixty 
men, and four or five officers. 

Each party claimed the victory, and each 
believed it had vanquished the whole force 
of the enemy with only a part of their own 
strength. Although the Americans retired 
to their camp, in the immediate vicinity, ra- 
ther as a matter of convenience than of ne- 
cessity, the substantial advantages of the 
battle were with them. The number of the 
combatants were nearly equal, there being 
about three thousand men actually engaged 
on each side. The result of the conflict en- 
couraged the hopes of the timid and waver- 
ing every where, and additional forces kept 
pouring in to the camp of General Gates. 

On the day after the engagement, the news 
arrived in camp, that a detachment of five 
hundred men, under Colonel Brown, who 
had been sent on this service by General 
Lincoln, at this time engaged in collecting 
the militia of New England, had taken Su- 
gar Hill and Mount Hope, an armed sloop, 
several gun boats, and two hundred boats 



HORATIO GATES. 87 

which had been employed on the lakes 
ill traiisportin'^ provisions for the British 
army, and had relieved one hundred Ame- 
rican prisoners, and captured three hun- 
dred of the enemy. This threatening move- 
ment in liis rear, compolled Burgoyne to 
make a bold and decided pnsli for the termi- 
nation of the campaign. He immediately 
took a position almost within canon shot of 
the American camp, fortified his right, and 
extended his left along the hills. Informa- 
tion of his situation was communicated to 
Generals Howe and Clinton, and prompt as- 
sistance was requested. These officers, how- 
ever, entertained no suspicion of danger, and 
were not able to render any efficient aid. 
The attack on Forts Clinton and Montgome- 
ry, although successful, availed him nothing. 
The two armies lay in front of each other 
lor several days; each engaged in fortifying 
its camp. Burgoyne's provisions were daily 
diminishing, and his Indian allies having 
become dissatisfied with the unfavorable as- 
pect of alfairs, abandoned him to his fate. 
1 lad he retreated immediately after the battle 
at Stillwater, his army might have been 



OO HORATIO GATES. 

saved ; but he neglected the favorable oppor- 
tunity, and suffered himself to be enveloped 
in the toils which General Gates was pre- 
paring for his capture. 

Towards the close of September, General 
Lincoln arrived in the American camp with 
a reinforcement of near two thousand men. 
General Gates remained on his old ground, 
and contented himself with watching the 
movements of the enemy, and accustoming 
his troops in their daily skirmishes, to the 
scenes of the battle field. He was sensible 
that every moment's delay increased his own 
strength, and weakened that of the opposing 
force. Burgoyne's situation became more 
and more embarrassing. He was so envi- 
roned by the forces under tlie command of 
General Gates, that he could procure no fresh 
supplies; his men were already placed on 
short allowances ; his horses were perishing 
for want of forage, and he had received no 
recent intelligence from Sir Henry Clinton. 
In this dilemma, he resolved to risk the 
fortune of another battle, as a victory was 
the only alternative to a surrender. Ac- 
cordingly, on the 7th of October, he led out 



IJORATIO GATES. 89 

one thousand live hundred men, well pro- 
vided with artillery, and accompanied by 
Generals Phihps, Reidesel and Frazer. His 
detachment had scarcely formed, within half 
a mile of the American entrenchments, when 
it was furiously attacked on the left by the 
ritle corps under Colonel Morgan, and an ob- 
stinate and protracted engagement ensued. 
The particulars of the battle are given by a 
writer in Thatcher's Military Journal, from 
the statements of eye witnesses, as follows: 

'* I am fortunate enough to obtain from 
our ollicers, a particular account of the glo- 
rious event of the 7th instant. The advanced 
parties of the two armies came into contact 
about three o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, 
and immediately displayed their hostile atti- 
tude. The Americans soon approached the 
royal army, and each party, in defiance, 
awaited the deadly blow. The gallant Co- 
lonel Morgan, at the head of his famous rille 
corps, and Major Dearborn, leading a detach- 
ment of infantry, commenced the action, and 
rushed courageously on the British grena- 
diers, commanded by Major Ackland; and 
the lurious attack was most firmly resisted. 



90 HORATIO GATES. 

In all parts of the field, the conflict became 
extremely arduous and obstinate ; an uncon- 
querable spirit on each side disdaining to 
yield the palm of victory. Death appeared 
to have lost his terrors ; breaches in the ranks 
were no sooner made than supplied by fresh 
combatants, awaiting a similar fate. 

''At length the Americans press forward 
with renewed strength and ardor, and com- 
pel the whole British line, commanded by 
Burgoyne himself, to yield to their deadly 
fire, and they retreat in disorder. The Ger- 
man troops remain firmly posted at their 
lines. These were now boldly assaulted by 
Brigadier General Learned, and Lieutenant 
Colonel Brooks, at the head of their respective 
commands, with such intrepidity, that the 
works were carried, and their brave com- 
mander, Lieutenant Colonel Brehman, was 
slain. The Germans v/ere pursued to their 
encampment, which, with ail the equipage 
of the brigade, fell into our hands. Colonel 
Cilley, of General Poor's brigade, having ac- 
quitted himself honorably, was seen astride 
on a brass field piece, exulting in the capture. 
Major Hull, of the Massachusetts line, was 



HORATIO GATES. 91 

among those wlio so bravely stormed the 
enemy's entrenchment, and acted a conspi- 
cuous part. 

'• (iencralArnold. in consequence of a seri- 
ous misimderstanding with General Gates, 
was not vested witli any command, by which 
he was exceedingly chagrined and irritated. 
He entered the field, however, and his con- 
duct was marked with intemperate rashness; 
flourishing his sword, and animating the 
troops, he struck an olficer on the head with- 
(UU cause, and gave liim a considerable 
wound, lie exposed himself to every dan- 
ger, and, with a small party of riflemen, 
rushed into the rear of the enemy, where he 
received a ball which fractured his leg, and 
his horse was killed under him. Night-fall 
l)ut a stop to our brilliant career, though the 
victory was most decisive; and it is with 
pride and exultation that we recount tlie tri- 
umph of American braA^ery. Besides Lieu- 
tenant Colonel nrcliiiiiiii slain. General Fra- 
zer, one of the most valuable olhcers in tlic 
British service, was mortally wounded, and 
survived but a lev.' hours. I-'razcr was the 
soul of the British army, and was just chan- 



92 HOKATIO GATES. 

ging the disposition of a part of the troops, 
to repel a strong impression which the x4mer- 
icans had made, and were still making, on 
the British right, when Morgan called to- 
gether two or three of his best marksmen, and 
pointing to Frazer, said: 'Do you see that 
gallant officer? — that is General Frazer; I 
respect and honor him ; but it is necessary 
he should die.' This was enough. Frazer 
immediately received his mortal wound, and 
was carried off the field. 

"Sir Francis Clark, aid-de-camp to Gene- 
ral Burgoyne, was brought into our camp 
with a mortal wound, and Major Ackland, 
who commanded the British grenadiers, was 
wounded through both legs, and is our pri- 
soner. Several other officers, and about two 
hundred privates, are prisoners in our hands, 
with nine pieces of cannon and a considera- 
ble supply of amiuiition, which was much 
wanted for our troops. The loss on our side 
is supposed not to exceed thirty killed, and 
one hundred wounded, in obtaining this sig- 
nal victory." 

Darkness put an end to this bloody en- 
gagement. The Americans lay all night 



HORATIO GATES. 93 

upon their arms, about half a mile from the 
lines, with the intention of renewing the at- 
tack in the morning. About midnight, Ge- 
neral Lincoln marched with his division to 
relieve the troops who had been engaged, and 
occupy the ground they had won. General 
Burgoyne became alarmed for his safety, and 
in the course of the night, silently, and with- 
out interruption from the enemy, moved his 
camp to the hills, extending his right up the 
river. 

This change of front relieved him from all 
immediate danger. On the 8th he made some 
ineffectual attempts to provoke General Gates 
to attack him in his strong position, but the 
latter prudently declined so unequal a con- 
test, and employed himself in taking every 
precaution to prevent the escape of the oppo- 
sing force. He posted one thousand four 
hundred men on the heights opposite the ford 
of Saratoga, and sent detachments to the 
other fords higher up the river. A brisk 
caimonading was kept up during the 8th, 
and considerable skirmishing took place. 

In the evening, General Burgoyne was in- 
formed that an American column, probably 



94 ' HOEATIO GATES. 

the detachment sent by General Gates to 
guard the fords, was advancing with the in- 
tention of gaining his right tlank, and he at 
once resolved to retreat to Saratoga, about 
ten miles up the river. He commenced his 
march about nine o'clock, leaving behind 
him several boats loaded with provisions and 
baggage, his hospital, and about three hun- 
dred sick and wounded men, towards whom 
General Gates exhibited his usual humanity. 
The roads were rendered so bad, by the 
heavy rain which was falling, that the Bri- 
tish army did not reach Saratoga until the 
evening of tlA3 9th of October, and on the 
morning of the 10th, much fatigued, they 
passed the fords of Fishkill creek, a little 
farther north. On reaching the place of his 
destination, General Burgoyne found a small 
body of the enemy already in possession of 
the ground, who retreated as soon as he ap- 
proached. 

As soon as the rain had ceased. General 
Gates set out in pursuit of the enemy, with 
the main body of the forces under his com- 
mand, but as the roads were in a most 
wretched condition, and the British had de- 



HOHATIO GATES. 95 

stroyed the bridges, it Avas some time before 
he overtook them. Immediately on his ar- 
rival at the camp above Fishkill creek, Ge- 
neral Burgoyne had sent forward a company 
of artificers, escorted by a force of several 
hundred men, to rcj)air the roads and bridges 
leading to Fort Edward ; but the sagacity of 
(jleneral Gates had provided against this con- 
tingency, and the party was forced to return, 
without having accomplished any thing. 
As the roads and bridges could not be repair- 
ed, it was found impossible to proceed with 
the baggage and artillery. 

General Burgoyne then called a council of 
war, at which the desperate resolution was 
adopted of aliandoning their baggage, artillery 
and stores, and with their arms and such 
]»rovisions as they could carry on their backs, 
marching in the night to Fort Edward, and 
forcing their way to Fort George. But the 
keen foresight of Gates had closed even this 
last avenue of escape. The American forces 
lined the whole eastern bank of the river. 
General Gates had under his command nine 
thousand continentals, and four thousand mi- 
litia, l^arties of them were advanced be- 



96 HORATIO GATES. 

tween the British army and Fort Edward ; 
and entrenchments, provided with artillery, 
had been thrown up on the high grounds be- 
tween Fort Edward and Fort George- The 
detachments on the eastern bank of the river 
were especially annoying to General Bur- 
goyne, who was obliged to land his pro- 
visions, and carry them to camp, up a steep 
hill, exposed to their galling fire. 

In these helpless circumstances, General 
Burgoyne again called his council together, 
and by the unanimous advice of its members, 
he opened a correspondence with General 
Gates on the 13th of October, which was 
followed by the surrender of his whole force 
on the 16th instant. By the terms of the ca- 
pitulation, it was stipulated that the troops 
under General Burgoyne should next day 
march out of their camp, with the honors of 
war, and the artillery of the entrenchments, 
and pile their arms at the verge of the river ; 
that a free passage should be granted them 
to Great Britain, on condition of not serving 
in North America during the war, unless ex- 
changed ; and that they should embark at 
Boston. On the 17th, the British troops piled 



HORATIO GATES. 97 

their arms according to the capitulation. The 
prize obtained, consisted of near six thousand 
prisoners, Ibrty-two pieces of brass ordnance, 
seven thousand nuiskets, clothing for seven, 
tliousand men, and a great quantity of tents, 
and other mihtary stores. 

General Bnrgoyne was received by his 
successhil antagonist, with every mark of 
kindness and respect. General Wilkinson, 
in his account of the atiair, says: ''General 
Gates, advised of Burgoyne's approach, met 
him at the head of his camp ; Burgo)^le in 
a rich, royal unitbrm, and Gates in a plain 
blue frock. When they had approached 
nearly within sword's length, they reined up 
and halted. I then named the gentlemen; 
and General Burgoyne, raising his hat most 
gracefully, said : ' The fortune of war, Gen- 
eral Gates, has made me your prisoner ;' to 
which the conqueror, returning a courtly sa- 
hue, promptly replied, ' I shall always bear 
testimony that it has not been through any 
fauh of your excellency.' " 

The surrender of the army of General 
Burgoyne, was one of the most important 
events which transpired during the progress 



98 HORATIO GATES. 

of the war. It taught the British ministry, 
that they were contending with an enemy 
whom it was madness to despise, and opened 
the way for the treaty of aUiance which was 
afterwards concluded with France. The 
American people were in an ecstasy of joy. 
The name of the hero of Saratoga was on 
every tongue, and coupled with every ex- 
pression of gratitude and admiration. The 
thanks of Congress were voted to General 
Gates and his army ; and a medal of gold, 
in commemoration of this great event, was 
ordered to be struck, to be presented to him 
by the president, in the name of the United 
States. 

The adulation paid to General Gates, on 
account of his brilliant success in command 
of the northern army, enkindled his ambi- 
tious aspirations, and so far unbalanced his 
mind, that he gave countenance to the at- 
tempt, which was soon after made, to remove 
General Washington, and substitute himself 
as commander-in-chief. The principal ac- 
tors in this scheme were General Conway, a 
brigadier general in the army, and a few 
other fiery and restless spirits, who were not 



HORATIO GATES. 99 

satisfied with the slow and cautious move- 
ments of Washington. General Conway 
made the vilest insinuations and assertions 
in the public newspapers, and in private 
conversation, relative to the incapacity of 
Washington to conduct the operations of the 
army. These attacks received countenance 
from several members of Congress, who were 
induced to avow their want of confidence in 
the commander-in-chief; and the matter 
soon assumed a most threatening aspect. 
Conway held a correspondence with Ge- 
neral Gates on tlie subject, and, in one of his 
letters, made use of this expression : " Hea- 
ven has been determined to save your coun- 
try, or a weak general, and bad counsellors 
would have ruined it." All the circumstan- 
ces connected with this movement, were 
speedily communicated to Washington him- 
self, and were soon alter made public. Ge- 
neral Gates, on finding that the particulars of 
the correspondence had been made known, 
addressed a note to the commander-in-chief, 
requesting him to disclose the name of his 
informant. General Washington at once 
gave the desired information, and mentioned 



iOO HORATIO GATES. 

the circumstances under which the affair 
had been brought to hght. Gates then at- 
tempted to excuse the matter away, but re- 
fused to produce the original letters of Con- 
way. The result of this controversy, while 
it increased the attachment of the American 
people for the good and great Washington, 
excited a deep feeling of regret that Gates 
should have sullied his fair fame by conduct 
so palpably unjust and ungenerous; audit 
is said, that he afterwards expressed his 
sincere regret at the occurrence. 

In 1779, General Gates was attached, 
during most of the campaign, to the army 
under the immediate command of Wash- 
ington. After the return of the British troops 
under General Grey, who had been sent in 
September, on an expedition against Bed- 
ford, Fairhaven, and Martha's Vineyard, 
General Washington broke up his encamp- 
ment at White Plains, and proceeded north, 
to Fredericksburg, at the same time detach- 
ing Generals Gates and McDougall to Dan- 
bury in Connecticut, to watch the movements 
of the enemy, and act as circumstances 
might require. 



HORATIO GATES. 101 

General Gates was subsequently employed 
on various duties, generally under the com- 
mander-in-chief, until the 13th of June, 
1780, when he was appointed to the chief 
command of the army of the south. The 
unhappy condition of things in the southern 
states had for a long time attracted the at- 
tention of Congress. Lord Cornwallis had 
completely overrun the country, and scat- 
tered terror and dismay wherever he had 
moved. The American force in that quarter 
was small, but early in the spring, Wash- 
ington had reinforced it with the Maryland 
and Delaware troops, and a regiment of artil- 
lery, under the Baron De Kalb, a veteran 
German officer, who had early entered the 
American service. 

The appointment of Gates to the com- 
mand gave general satisfaction, and the most 
sanguine expectations of a favorable change 
in the condition of things were mdulged on 
all sides, except by the few who envied him 
the reputation he had acquired on the plains 
of Saratoga. General Lee, however, it is 
stated, anticipated a dilTerent result, and re- 
marked of Gates, that "his northern lau- 



102 HORATIO GATES. 

rels would soon be exchanged for southern 
willows ;" but this remark, in all probability, 
originated rather in the bitterness of his dis- 
position, than in any intuitive knowledge he 
could have possessed. 

On receiving notice of his appointment, 
General Gates proceeded southward without 
delay, and joined the army under De Kalb, 
at Buffalo Ford, on Deep river, on the 25th 
of July. The whole force consisted of about 
two thousand men, and large reinforcements 
of militia from North Carolina and Virginia, 
were daily expected. It had been the inten- 
tion of De Kalb to deviate from the direct 
route to Camden, where the British force 
under Cornwallis was soon after concentra- 
ted, in order that he might establish maga- 
zines and hospitals at convenient points, and 
be more favorably situated for obtaining 
supplies. But General Gates, on his arrival, 
determined to follow the straight route to 
the enemy, notwithstanding it led throvigh a 
barren and inhospitable country. 

On the 27th of July, he commenced his 
march, but soon experienced the privations 
and difficulties which De Kalb had been 



HORATIO GATES. 103 

anxious to avoid- Meal and corn were so 
scarce that the men were forced to use unripe 
corn and peaches instead of bread, and for 
some time they were forced to subsist chiefly 
on lean cattle, accidentally found in the 
woods. This wretched diet, and the intense 
heat and unhealthy climate, reduced the 
army to a most wretched condition. Ge- 
neral Gates was indefatigable in expediting 
his march. After having effected a junction 
with General Caswell, at the head of the 
North Carolina militia, and a small body of 
troops under Lieutenant Colonel Porterfield, 
he arrived at Rugely's Milis on the i3th of 
August. 

On the next day, he was joined by the 
militia o{ Virginia, amounting to seven hun- 
dred men, under General Stevens. An ex- 
press arrived on the same day from Colonel 
Sumpter, a partizan officer, who had posted 
liimself with a considerable body of men, on 
<he west side of the Wateree, informing 
(iat<?s that an escort of clothes, ammunition, 
and other stores, for the garrison at Camden, 
was on its way from Ninety-six. The latter 
inunediately detacl>ed one hundred regular 



104 HORATIO GATES. 

infantry and three hundred North CaroUna 
militia, to reinforce Sumpter, whom he or- 
dered to reduce the British fort on the Wa- 
teree, and intercept the convoy. On the 
15th instant he continued his advance in the 
direction of Camden, with the intention of 
taking a position about seven miles from that 
place. 

On the advance of General Gates into 
South Carolina, Cornwallis quitted Charles- 
ton, where he had been previously estab- 
lished, and repaired to Camden, at which 
place he arrived on the same day that Gates 
reached Rugely's Mills. The British com- 
mander could not assemble more than two 
thousand men at Camden, and, as the 
whole country was rising against him, he 
found it necessary either to retreat, or to 
strike a decisive blow. He chose the latter 
alternative, and at ten o'clock at night, on 
the 15th of August, the very hour General 
Gates proceeded from Rugely's Mills, about 
thirteen miles distant, he marched towards 
the American Camp. 

General Gates had sent his sick, heavy 
baggage, and miUtary stores not wanted for 



HORATIO GATES. 105 

immediate use, under a strong guard to 
Waxhaw's, and advanced with considerable 
confidence and rapidity. Colonel Armand's 
legion composed the van ; Porterfield's light 
infantry, with a company of picked men 
from Stevens' brigade, marching in Indian 
files, two hundred yards from the road, co- 
vered the right flank of the legion ; and Major 
Armstrong's light infantry, of the North 
Carolina militia, reinforced in like manner 
by General Caswell, in the same order, co- 
vered the left. The Maryland division, fol- 
lowed by the North Carolina and Virginia 
militia, with the artillery, composed the main 
body and rear guard; and the volunteer 
cavalry were equally distributed on the 
flanks of the baggage. The American force 
did not exceed four thousand men; only 
nine hundred of whom were regular troops, 
and there were seventy cavalry. 

About two o'clock on the morning of the 
16th of August, the advanced guards of both 
parties unexpectedly met in the woods. A 
portion of the American cavalry forming the 
advanced guard, being wounded by the first 
fire, fell back in confusion, and broke the 



106 HORATIO GATES. 

Maryland regiment, which formed the head 
of the column. A scene of confusion en- 
sued, which went very far, heightened as it 
was by the darkness of the night, to fill the 
minds of the raw troops with that terror and 
gloom from which they do not appear to 
have recovered. Several skirmishes hap- 
pened during the night, and a number of 
prisoners were taken on either side, from 
whom the respective commanders gained 
some information in regard to the position of 
the two armies. General Gates unfortunately 
found himself situated with morasses on 
his right and left, so that he could not avail 
himself of his superior numbers to outflank 
the enemy ; consequently all the advantages 
of a larger force were entirely lost. 

At dawn of day, the two armies were pre- 
pared for action. Cornwallis formed his men 
in two divisions ; that on the right was under 
the command of Lieutenant Colonel Web- 
ster ; that on the left, under Lord Rawdon. 
In front were four field pieces. The seventy- 
first regiment, with two cannon, formed the 
reserve ; and the cavalry, about three hun- 
dred in number, were stationed in the rear. 



HORATIO GATES. 107 

General Gates placed the second Maryland 
brigade, under General Cist, on the right of 
his line : the militia of North Carolina, com- 
manded by General Caswell, in the centre ; 
and the Virginia militia, with the light in- 
fantry and Colonel Armand's corps, on the 
left. The artillery was placed between the 
divisions. Baron De Kalb commanded on 
the right, and the militia generals were with 
their respective commands. The battle was 
commenced by the advance of Colonel Web- 
ster, with the right wing of the British 
army, to attack the American left. As he 
advanced, he was assailed by a scattering 
discharge of musketry from some volunteer 
militia in advance of their comrades, but his 
soldiers rushed through the loose fire, and 
charged the American line with a shout. 

The militia instantly threw down their 
arms and lied, many of them without dis- 
charging their muskets. A great part of the 
centre division, composed of the North Car- 
olina militia, imitated the example of their 
Virginia brethren ; few of cither division fired 
a shot, and fewer still bore away their arms. 
General Gates and .some of the militia ge- 



108 HORATIO GATES. 

nerals threw themselves in the way of the 
fugitives, and earnestly besought them to 
maintain their ground like men. But all 
subordination was gone. They had become 
panic-stricken, and Tarleton rode over them, 
with his legion, and cut them down, almost 
without resistance. General Gates, in des- 
pair, hastened with a few friends to Char- 
lotte, eighty miles from the field of battle.^ 
Baron De Kalb manfully defended himself, 
and his brave Mary landers withstood all the 
efforts of the enemy, until their whole force 
was concentrated against them, when they 
were compelled to give way. The brave 
Baron fell at the head of his men, pierced 
with eleven wounds. His death terminated 
the disasters of the day. 

General Gates was completely overwhelm- 
ed by his defeat. His own rashness, want 
of caution, and neglect in watching the 
movements of the enemy, undoubtedly led to 
the unhappy issue of the engagement ; but 
had he been supported by another De Kalb, 
or had the Virginia and North Carolina mili- 
tia remained firm at their posts, the victory 
would have been secured. He continued to 



HORATIO GATES. 10^ 

retreat, with such forces as he could collect, 
to Salisbury, and thence to Hillsborough, 
where he succeeded in gathering around him 
the scattered fragments of liis army. Being 
afterwards reinforced by several small bodies 
of regulars and militia, he again advanced 
towards the south, and established his post 
at Charlotte. Here he remained in com- 
mand, until the 3rd day of December, when 
he was relieved by General Greene, who had 
been appointed to supersede him. 

While General Gates was still at Char- 
lotte, in the midst of his misfortunes, he was 
called to mourn the death of an only son. 
The following statement in relation to this 
afflicting dispensation, is given in Garden's 
Anecdotes, and affords conclusive proof of 
his kind heart and generous disposition : 

" Having occasion to call on General 
Gates," says the author of the statement, 
'•relative to the business of the department 
under my immediate charge, 1 found him 
traversing the apartment which he occupied, 
under the influence of high excitement; his 
agitation was excessive : every feature of his 
countenance, every gesture, betrayed it. ( )f- 



110 HORATIO GATES. 

ficial despatches informing him that he was 
superseded, and that the command of the 
southern army had been transferred to Gene- 
ral Greene, had just been received and pe- 
rused by him. His countenance, however, 
betrayed no expression of irritation or resent- 
ment; it was sensibihty alone that caused 
his emotion. An open letter which he held 
in his hand, was often raised to his lips and 
kissed with devotion, while the exclamation 
repeatedly escaped them : ' Great man ! No- 
ble, generous procedure !' When the tumult 
of his mind had subsided, and his thoughts 
found utterance, he, with strong expressions 
of feeling, exclaimed : ' I have received this 
day a communication from the commander- 
in-chief, which has conveyed more consola- 
tion to my bosom, more ineffable delight to 
my heart, than I had beUeved it possible for 
it ever to have felt again. With affectionate 
tenderness he sympathizes with me in my do- 
mestic misfortunes, and condoles with me on 
the loss I have sustained by the recent deafli 
of an only son ; and then with peculiar deli- 
cacy, lamenting my misfortune in battle, as- 
sures me that his confidence in my zeal and 



HORATIO GATES. Ill 

capacity is so little impaired, that the com- 
niand of the right wing of the army will be 
bestowed on me, so soon as I can make it 
convenient to join him.' " 

General Gates resigned the command to 
his successor, with entire good feeling, and 
the latter ever continued to defend the mili- 
tary reputation of his friend. He always as- 
serted that if there was any mistake in the 
conduct of Gates, it was in hazarding an 
action at all, against a force which was su- 
perior to his own in reliable strength ; and, 
when informed of his own appointment to 
supersede him, he declared his unabated con- 
fidence in the military talents of General 
Gates, and his willingness to serve under 
him. 

The same resolution of Congress which di- 
rected the commander-in-chief to supersede 
General Gates, also provided for a court of 
inquiry on his conduct. The inquiry result- 
ed in his acquittal : and it was the general 
opinion that he was not treated by Congress 
with that delicacy and gratitude which was 
due to his acknowledged merits as an officer, 
and his callaiit services in the field. He was 



112 HORATIO GATES. 

not reinstated in his military command, in 
the main army, until 1782, after the inde- 
pendence of the country had been finally 
secured. He took part in the closing scenes 
of the Revolution, and was most painfully 
affected at the final separation of Washington 
from his military family. 

After the peace, General Gates retired to 
his farm in Berkeley county, Virginia, where 
he continued to reside until 1790, when, 
having emancipated his slaves, and made 
pecuniary provision for such of them as 
were unable to provide for themselves, he 
removed to the city of New York. On his 
arrival, the freedom of the city was tendered 
to him ; and, in 1800, he received the nomi- 
nation of the republican party as one of their 
candidates for the assembly of the state, and 
was elected by a large majority. Although 
firm and decided in his political views, this 
did not separate him from the many personal 
friends who entertained different opinions. 
He possessed a handsome person ; was cour- 
teous and agreeable in his manners ; amiable 
and benevolent in his disposition ; of warm 
social habits, and a kind and sincere friend. 



HORATIO GATES. 113 

A few weeks before his death, he closed a 
letter to a friend, with the following allusion 
to his situation : 

'•I am very weak, and have evident signs 
of an approaching dissolution. But I have 
lived long enough, since I have lived to see a 
a mighty people animated with a spirit to be 
free, and governed by transcendent abilities 
and honor."' He died at his residence in the 
vicinity of New York, on the lUth day of 
April, 1S06, at the age of 78. 



8 



NATHA^'IEL GREENE 



Birth and Parentage. — His early love of Learning and 
capacity for Business. — Elected to the Legislature. — 
Enters the Army at the head of Rhode Island Provin- 
cials, and joins Washington. — Renders valuable aid 
to Washington at the Battle of Trenton; also in the 
Battle of Princeton. — Appointed Commissary General. 
— Battle of Monmouth. — His Engagement irith the Bri- 
tish at Springfield. — Execution of Andre. — Appointed 
to Command of Southern Army. — Gen. Greene's .'skill- 
ful Retreat before Cornwallis. — Battle of Guilford 
Court House and Retreat of Cornwallis. — Battle of 
Camden. — Unsuccessful Attack upon Fort Ninety-Six. — 
Battle of Eufaw Springs. — Cessation of Hostilities and 
his return to Rhode Island. — Gratitude of the States to- 
wards him. — Removes to Georgia. — His Sudden Death. 
— His valuable Military Services. — His Character. — 
Reflections. 

This distinguished officer was indebted to 
none of the adventitious aids of wealth, or 
family connections, for the high estimation in 
which he was held by his brother officers. 



116 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

and his countrymen in general, at the close 
of the revohition. He was, in every sense, 
" the founder of his own fortune, and the au- 
thor of his own fame." He was the son of 
Nathaniel Greene, a very respectable member 
of the Society of Friends, and was born in 
the year 1741, at Warwick, Kent County, in 
the province of Rhode Island. His father 
was an anchor smith, and the subject of this 
notice was intended for the same humble, 
though honorable occupation. He was in- 
structed at school, in the elements of a com- 
mon English education, but his appetite for 
the acquisition of knowledge was not satis- 
fied by the means thus placed within his 
reach ; and with such funds as he could 
procure, he purchased a small library, and 
spent his evenings, and most of his leisure 
time, in storing his mind with useful infor- 
mation. His practical intelligence, his capa- 
city for business, and his uprightness of 
character, soon secured him the esteem and 
good will of his friends and acquaintances. 
Young Greene was often referred to as a 
striking example to the other youths of the 
colony, of what industry and application 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 117 

could accomplish ; and quite early in life he 
"was elected to a seat in the provincial legis- 
lature, by a most flattering vote. 

In the new position to which he had been 
elevated. Greene displayed the same assiduity 
and attention to business, and the same de- 
sire to do good to himself and to others, 
which had formerly characterized Iiim. His 
early reading had imbued him with a siti- 
cere love of liberty. He had learned to hate 
tyranny and oppression in all their forms. 
AVhen he entered upon his duties as a legis- 
lator, the difficulties with the mother country 
had just commenced. He did not hesitate a 
single instant as to what course he should 
adopt. His conscience assured him that the 
cause of the colonies was just and right, and 
he openly and boldly avowed the convictions 
of liis mind on this important question. 
Modest and unassumiuij in his deportment, 
he contented himself with an inferior posi- 
tion, until the time came for throwing olf the 
yoke, or tamely submitting to the iniquitous 
demands of the English nnnistry. For this 
crisis, Greene had already prepared himself, 
and he then aspired to a more prominent sta- 



118 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

lion, and to become one of the leaders of the 
enterprise m which his whole heart was 
enlisted. Casting aside the peaceful habits 
in which he had been educated, as being 
wholly unsuited to the perilous times in 
which he lived, he manfully declared in favor 
of open resistance to the English govern- 
ment. His immediate personal friends and 
relatives earnestly entreated him to refrain 
from adopting a course so inconsistent with 
what they alleged to be his duty, as a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends. But the love 
of country was far dearer to him than the 
ties of kindred ; and he only replied to their 
entreaties, by assuring them that his deter- 
mination was fixed and unalterable. His 
services and his life belonged to his country, 
and he would peril all in her defence. When 
his final decision became known, he was 
disowned by most of his connections, and 
dismissed from the society to which he be- 
longed. However much these circumstan- 
ces may have vexed and grieved him, they 
did not induce him to swerve from what he 
believed was right. 

He commenced his military studies in the 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 119 

capacity of a private soldier, in October, 1774, 
in a military association, commanded by 
James M. Varnum, afterwards a brigadier 
general. In May, 1775, three regiments of 
militia were raised by the province of Rhode 
Island, and placed under the command of 
Greene, who marched them with as much 
expedition as circumstances would permit, to 
Cambridge, and joined the main army already 
congregated there. On the 22d day of June, 
he Avas appointed by Congress one of the 
brigadier generals in the colonial service. 
He remained with Washington during the 
investment of Boston, and contributed a great 
deal, by liis practical knowledge and useful- 
ness, to sustain the commander-in-chief in 
the embarrassing condition of the army and 
the government. He continued to pursue his 
military studies with unabated zeal and ap- 
plication, and soon became thoroughly versed 
in the science of war. He was cool and 
cautious, but full of resources ; he was al- 
ways ready to avail himself of any advantage, 
and when the proper time came for action, 
he was prompt and decisive in his move- 
ments. With a few other officers, he at one 



120 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

time counselled an assault on the British for- . 
tifications at Boston. Washington himself 
concurred in this project, and it would proba- 
bly have been carried into effect, had not a 
majority of the council been of a different 
opinion. 

Soon after the arrival of Washington at 
Cambridge, a friendship was formed between 
Greene and himself, which gradually ripened 
into the most confidential intimacy, and con- 
tinued unchanged through life. The evacua- 
tion of Boston by the British, in March, 1776, 
rendered the presence of so large a force in 
that quarter unnecessary, and the American 
commander removed his head quarters to 
New York, whither General Greene accom- 
panied him. 

On the 2d day of July, General Howe 
landed on Staten Island with a force of nine 
thousand men, and his brother, Lord Howe, 
arrived in a few days, with a reuiforcement 
from England, twenty thousand strong. Ge- 
neral Washington was ill prepared to meet 
so powerful an army. His whole force con- 
sisted of but about eleven thousand men, two 
thousand of whom were entirely without 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 121 

arms. lie attempted to obstruct the Fast 
and North rivers, by sinking vessels in the 
eliannels, and raised fortilications at New 
York and on Long Island, for the purpose of 
preventing the march of tlie British army to 
Xew York. 

The American army was posted partly at 
Xew York and partly on liOng Island. Ge- 
neral Cirecnc was entrusted with the ccm- 
mand at the latter })lace, and discharged his 
duty with fidelity and promptitude. His 
camp was strongly fortiiied, and was ap- 
proachable only by three different defiles 
through a woody ridge in front, which 
obliquely intersected the island, a few miles 
from Brooklyn. One of these defiles was at 
the southern extremity, near the narrows; 
another about the middle, on the Flatbush 
road; and a third near the north-east ex- 
tremity of the hills, on the Bedford road. 
General G'reene had carefully examined all 
these routes in person; and as it was evident 
that the British army must debark on the 
farther side of the ridge, he resolved to dis- 
pute the passage of the defiles. 

At this important moment, he was taken 



122 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

dangerously sick, and compelled to retire 
from all active duty. The command on the 
island outside of the lines of fortifications, 
then devolved on General Sullivan, who 
was not equally sensible of the importance 
of protecting the passes. He sent strong 
detachments to guard that near the Nar- 
rows, and the Flatbush road ; but to the more 
distant route, by the Bedford road, he sent 
only an officer and a small party, with direc- 
tions to observe it, and give notice if the 
enemy should appear. The consequences 
of this neglect were disastrous in the ex-' 
treme. All the passes to Brooklyn were 
guarded, but one ; and it was by that the 
British troops, who decided the fortunes of 
the battle on Long Island, were enabled, by 
a forced night march, to turn the American 
flank. To the absence of Greene, who had 
studied, and would doubtless have guarded, 
all the approaches to the camp, may the de- 
feat of the American forces be mainly attri- 
buted. It must indeed have been a bitter 
pang to him, to feel that his presence might 
have given a check to the operations of the 
British army, at this critical period of the 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 123 

war. from which it would not easily have 
recovered. The battle of Long Island oc- 
curred on the 27th of August, 177(3. Pre- 
vious to this alTair, viz : on the 26th of 
August, (Jeneral Greene was promoted to the 
rank of major general. 

General Greene accompanied the army 
under Washington in its dangerous retreat 
from New York, by the way of Kingsbridge, 
White Plahis, and North Castle, to New Jer- 
sey. A council of war was held about this 
time, to determine whether, in the existing 
state of things, it was advisable to retain 
possession of Fort Washington, near Kings- 
bridge, on the Island of New York, and Fort 
Lee, which was situated nearly opposite, on 
the Jersey shore. General liCe was of the 
opinion that they ought to be abandoned; 
but General fireene urged the propriety of 
defending them, in order to obstruct the pro- 
gress of the enemy, which opinion prevailed. 
Fort Washington was afterwards taken by 
(leneral Howe, witli the loss of one thousand 
men in killed and wounded. General (ireene 
had been entrusted with the command of the 
troops near Fort Lee, and early on the morn- 



124 

NATHANIEL GREENE. 

ins of the ISth of November, two days 
after the capture of Port Washington, Lord 
Cornwalhs passed tin-ongh the communica- 
Uon between the East and North rivers, by 
Kmgsbndge, witli a strong detac!n«3nt. .n 
flat.bott^^ed boats, for the purpose of cut- 

tig off the retreat of the American forces 
on the Jersey shore. General Greene, how- 
ever bemg apprised of this movement, by a 
rap.d march escaped „dth the main b^dy of 
he garr,son, but left behind some stragglers 
and h,s heavy artillery and baggage which 
fell into the hands of the enemy^ ^ ' 

After retreating through New Jersey, Ge- 
neral Washington finally crossed the Deh 
ware, in December, and toolc ttp a position on 
the south side of the river. The British 
troops were scattered through the countrv 
between the Delaware and Hackensack rivers' 
About one thousand five hundred Hessians' 
uader Colonel Rhalle, were stationed ai 
Irenton, and about two thousand at Borden- 
town, a few miles below, under Couut Do- 
nop. General Washington had only about 
two thousand troops with him, but he held a 
council of war, at which General Greene 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 125 

was present, who resolved on the enterprise 
against Trenton, which was made on the 
26th of December, 1776. The attacking force 
was formed into three divisions. The third 
and main division, which was the only one 
that crossed the river on the evening of the 
2'>th, was commanded by Washington, in 
person, assisted by Generals Sullivan and 
Greene, and Colonel Knox, of the artillery. 
The Hessian force was taken completely by 
surprise. Their commander was killed early 
in the engagement, and as they were unable 
to sustain the galling fire of the American 
artillery, about one thousand of his men 
threw down their arms and surrendered 
themselves prisoners of war. 

On the evening of the 26th, Washington 
re-crcss^d the Delaware, carrying his prison- 
ers along with him, and their arms, colors 
and artillery. The success of this bold move- 
ment produced a change in public feeling, 
and large reinforcements soon came into the 
camp. Early in January, General Washing- 
ton foimd himself at the head of five thou- 
sand men. His head quarters were at this 
time at Trenton. The British were at once 



126 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

alarmed for the safety of their posts in New 
Jersey, and Lord CornwalUs was despatched 
with a strong force against Trenton. 

On the approach of the enemy, General 
Washington crossed a rivulet, named the 
Assumpink, and took post on the high ground 
with the rivulet in front. On the 2d of Janu- 
ary, 1777, a smart cannonade ensued, and 
continued till night ; Lord Cornwallis intend- 
ing to renew the attack the next morning. 
A council of war was held by General Wash- 
ington, of which General Greene was a 
member, who planned the daring attack on 
the British garrison at Princeton. Wash- 
ington silently decamped in the night, lea- 
ving his fires burning, his sentinels advan- 
ced, and small parties to guard the fords 
of the rivulet, and by a circuitous route 
through Allentown, proceeded toward Prince- 
ton. The cold was intense, but this only 
rendered the march less difficult, as the roads 
were like solid pavement. The battle at 
Princeton was one of the most memorable 
during the war, and exceedingly fatal to the 
American officers. They lost one general, - 
two colonels, one major and three captains. 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 127 

General Washington was several times ex- 
posed to imminent danger, and the gallantry, 
skill, and prudence of General Greene, were 
conspicuous on this occasion. The enemy- 
were obliged to retreat, Avith considerable 
loss, but as the main body under Cornwallis 
were rapidly hastening up, General Wash- 
ington immediately proceeded to Morristown, 
by forced marches, and fixed his head quar- 
ters at that point. 

In June, 1777, General Howe crossed over 
the river from New York, with a large body 
of men, with the intention of opening the 
campaign, by compelling Washington to 
abandon his position, or risk an engagement 
with a much superior force. After receiving 
a small reinforcement, the American army 
changed its position from Morristown to 
Middlcbrook, on the north side of the Rari- 
tan. General Howe employed every artifice 
to draw his opponent from the advantageous 
ground he occupied, but without success. 
He then returned to New Brunswick, and 
committed terrible devastations on his march. 
On the 22nd of June, he retired to Amboy, 
closely followed by an American detachment 



128 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

under General Greene, who hung upon his 
rear, and frequently attacked it. General 
Howe then crossed with his army to Staten 
Island, and subsequently sailed for the south- 
ward. In the month of August he entered 
the Chesapeake Bay, and landed his forces 
at the head of the El k river. G eneral Wash- 
ington hastened to meet the British army, as 
soon as he was informed of its destination. 

On the advance of the enemy from Elk 
river. General Washington retreated across 
the Brandy wine, a creek which falls into the 
Delaware at Wilmington. With his main 
body he took post at Chad' s Ford, where it 
was expected the British would attempt the 
passage ; and General Sullivan was ordered, 
with a detachment, to watch the fords above. 

On the morning of the 11th of September, 
the British advanced in two columns ; the 
right under General Knyphausen, marching 
to Chad's Ford, and the left under Lord 
Cornwallis, passing up the river. General 
Sullivan being unexpectedly attacked by so 
large a body of the enemy, fell back in dis- 
order. 

When General Washington heard the 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 129 

firing ill tli.-it direction, he ordered General 
Greene with Weedon's brigade, to the sup- 
port of Sid h van. Greene marched four 
miles in forty-two minutes, and arrived just 
in time to cover the retreat. He threw him- 
self into the rear of his flying countrymen, 
and, retreating slowly, kept up so destruc- 
tive a fire on the advancing columns of the 
British, that their movements were greatly 
retarded. He at length reached a narrow 
defile, secured on the right and left by thick 
woods, halted his forces, sent forward his 
cannon, that they might be out of reach of 
danger, if h5 were forced to a hasty retreat, 
and formed his men, with the determination 
of disputing the passage with small arms. 
This he elfccted with entire success, not- 
withstanding the vast superiority of the force 
under Cornwallis. He renewed the battle, 
and kept the enemy at bay, until the dark- 
ness of the nighi brought the conflict to a 
close. The gallantry of Greene on this oc- 
casion not only saved the detachment under 
General Sullivan, but enabled the whole 
American army to eflect their retreat to Phil- 
adclpliia in safety, and from thence to Skip- 



130 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 



pach creek, on the north side of the Schuyl- 
kill. 

'' On this occasion only,'' says a narrator 
of the incident, "did the slightest misunder- 
standing ever occur, between General Greene 
and the commander-in-chief In his general 
orders after the battle, the latter neglected to 
bestow any special applause on Weedon's 
brigade. Against this, General Greene re- 
monstrated in person. General Washington 
replied : ' You, sir, are considered my favo- 
rite officer. Weedon's brigade, like myself, 
are Yirginians. Should I applaud them for 
their achievement under your command, I 
shall be charged with partiality ; jealousy 
will be excited, and the service injured.' 

"'Sir,' exclaimed Greene, with conside- 
rable emotion, ' I trust your Excellency will 
do me the justice to belicA^e that I am not sel- 
fish. In my own behalf I have nothing to 
ask. Act towards me as you please ; I shall 
not complain. However richly I prize your 
Excellency's good opinion and applause, a 
consciousness that I have endeavored to do 
my duty, constitutes, at present, my richest 
reward. But do not, sir, let me entreat 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 131 

you, on account of the jealousy that may 
arise in little minds, withhold justice from 
the brave fellows I had the honor to com- 
mand.' 

'' Convinced that prudence forbade the 
special notice requested, the commander-in- 
chief persisted in his silence. Greene, on 
cool reflection, appreciated the motives of 
his General, and lost no time in apologising 
lor his intemperate manner, if not for his 
expressions. Delighted with his frankness 
and magnanimity. Washington replied, with 
a smile: "An ollicer, tried as you have been, 
who ens but oiice in two years, deserves to 
be forgiven." With that, he otlered him his 
hand, and the matter terminated." 

After the retreat of Washington, the Bri- 
tish army advanced to Philadelpliia. As 
their position was felt to be insecure, so long 
as the navigation of the river remained ob- 
structed, General Howe detached a portion 
of his force, for the purpose of removing the 
obstructions, and encamped with the main 
body of his army at Germantown. While 
in this position, (General Washington deter- 
mined on attacking the enemy. Accordingly 



132 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

his troops were got under way on the e\^e- 
nmg of the 3d of October, and marched to 
Germantown, seventeen miles from Skippach 
creek. The command of the left wing was 
given to General Greene. After a smart 
conflict, the British advanced guard were 
driven in, but as a portion of the enemy had 
occupied a large stone house in front of the 
main column of the Americans, the onward 
progress of the latter was impeded, and after 
an obstinate engagement, in which the loss 
on both sides was very severe, they were 
compelled to retreat. Under cover of a 
dense fog they returned to their camp in 
safety. General Greene exerted himself to 
the utmost, to retrieve the fortunes of the 
day, but his efforts were unavailing. The 
loss of the British in this action was six hun- 
dred in killed and wounded ; the Americans 
lost the same number, besides four hundred 
who were taken prisoners. Without any 
farther encounter with the British troops, the 
American army soon retired to their winter 
quarters at Valley Forge, twenty-six miles 
from Philadelphia. 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 133 

At tliis time, the quarter-master's depart- 
ment of the American army, was in a most 
deplorably ineffective condition. When soli- 
cited by Congress to name some person, 
competent to fill the office of quarter-master 
general, and restore its usefulness, Washing- 
ton instantly fixed on General Greene. He 
knew that he was just the man calculated 
to discharge the duties of the station, with 
fidelity and despatch ; still, he was also 
aware that Greene was every inch a soldier, 
and warmly attached to the duties of the 
line. Notwithstanding this, he expressed 
the opinion, that if General Greene could be 
convinced of liis ability to render his coun- 
try greater services in the quarter-master's 
department than in the field, he would not 
hesitate to accept the appointment. " There 
is not," said ho. "an officer of the army, 
nor a man in America, more sincerely at- 
tached to the interests of his country. Could 
he best i)romote her interests in the charac- 
ter of a rorponti, he would exchange, as I 
firmly believe, without a murmur, the epau- 
lette for the knot. For, although he is not 



134 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

without ambition, that ambition has not for 
its object the highest rank, so much as the 
greatest goodP 

When the appointment was first tendered 
to General Greene, he decUned accepting it ; 
but after a friendly conference with the com- 
mander-in-chief, he consented to reverse his 
decision, on condition that he should forfeit 
none of his rights to command, in time of 
action. On these terms he received the ap- 
pointment, on the 22d of March, 1778, and 
entered on the duties of the office. His ad- 
ministration of the affairs of the department 
was a most fortunate one for the army, and 
a new impetus seemed at once to be given 
to all its operations. 

Early in the spring of 1778, the British 
army, then under the command of Sir Henry 
Clinton, evacuated Philadelphia, and crossed 
the Delaware on their route to New York. 
For several days Washington entertained 
the idea of attacking the enemy on their re- 
treat, but the decision of his council was 
adverse to such a course. He then threw 
forward strong detachments under Generals 
Dickinson, Maxwell and Cadwallader, and 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 135 

Colonel Morgan, who were ordered to liar- 
rass the enemy as nnich as possible. Gene- 
ral Washington then snmmoned a council of 
war the second time, when their opinion 
still being adverse to an attack, he decided 
to act on his own responsibility. 

On the 2Sth of June, General Lee, who 
had advanced under his orders, at the head 
of five thousand men, attacked the rear of 
the British army near Freehold Court House, 
in the county of Monmouth, supposing that 
he should meet with little or no resistance. 
But he soon discovered his mistake, when 
he found that J^'ir Henry Clinton had placed 
the flower o( his troops in the rear division, 
under the command of Lord Cornwaliis. 
He then commenced a rapid retreat, in order 
to secure a more advantageous position, when 
he was met by General Washington, who 
reproved him for his conduct, and ordered 
General Greene to assume the command of 
fhe right wing of the army. The latter ren- 
dered etlicicnt service in this aflair, and 
was instrumental in retrieving the losses 
sustained m the early part of the day. The 
result of the battle was advantageous to the 



136 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

American cause, although Sir Henry Chnton 
continued his march to Sandy Hook, on his 
way to New York, without farther moles- 
tation. 

After the battle at Monmouth, General 
Greene was despatched to assist General Sul- 
livan in his operations against the enemy in 
Rhode Island. A combined movement, in 
connection with the French naval force un- 
der Count D'Estaing, was in contemplation, 
for the reduction of the British garrison at 
Newport, amounting to about six thousand 
men, under the command of General Pi got. 
At the very moment when the assistance of 
the fleet was the most needed. Count D'Es- 
taing, in compliance with the decision of a 
council of his officers, decided on proceeding 
immediately to Boston. General Greene, in 
company with the Marquis De La Fayette, 
waited on the Count, to remonstrate with 
him on the subject, and to press his co-ope- 
ration and assistance for two days only, in 
which time they hoped to be able to accom- 
plish every thing that was desired ; but he 
continued to adhere to his former resolution, 
and on the 28th of August, General Sullivan 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 137 

was compelled to raise the seige, and retire 
into the interior of the State. 

The presence of General Greene in his 
native state, after so long an absence, was 
liaili'd with the most lively demonstrations 
of joy. The inhabitants gathered round 
him in crowds, and even the sober-minded 
nieml^ers of the Society of Friends, were 
heartily rejoiced to take him by the hand. 
They often visited him at his quarters, and 
congratulated him on the elevated rank he 
liad attained in the service of his country. 
On a certain occasion, one of the members 
of the Society was enquired of, to know 
Ikhv he could reconcile his conscience witli 
the attentions he had paid to General Greene, 
whose profession was that of war? He 
|)romptly re})hed : " Friend, it is not a suit 
of uniform that can either make or spoil a 
man. True. I do not approve of this many- 
colored apparel, but whatever may be the 
form or color of his coat, Nathaniel Greene 
still retains the .same sound head and virtu- 
ous heart, tluit gained him the love and es- 
teem of our Society.'' 

Durinjr the year 1770. ( General G'reene was 



138 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

wholly engrossed with the duties of the 
quarter-master's department. His unremit- 
ting exertions were directed to furnishing the 
army with the necessary clothing and stores, 
but, in spite of his efforts, he was so poorly 
sustained by Congress, that the condition of 
the army was oftentimes most deplorable. 
The privations and sufferings of the soldiers 
were so great in the spring of 178U, that the 
temper of the men was soared, and it re- 
quired the utmost exertions of the officers, 
and of the commander-in-chief, to prevent a 
total disbandment of his force. 

On the ISth of June, 1780, Sir Henry 
Clinton returned from South Carolina, with 
about four thousand men, and commenced 
offensive operations in the vicinity of New 
York. Being apprehensive, that it was the 
intention of the British commander to sail 
up the Hudson, and attack the posts in the 
Highlands, General Washington proceeded 
from Springfield, where he had been en- 
camped, toward Pompton, with the main 
body of his army. General Greene was left 
at Springfield with seven hundred continen- 
tals, the Jersey militia, and some cavalry. 



\ATnA\inL GREENE. 139 

Sir Henry Clinton, after having perplexed 
the Americans by his movements, rapidly 
advanced with his whole force, on the morn- 
iiig of the 23d of June, from Elizabethtown 
to Sprinixfield. General Crcene hastily col- 
lected his detachment, and apprised Gene- 
ral Washington of the march of the enemy. 
lie had scarcely assembled his troops and 
made the necessary dispositions, when the 
royal army appeared before the town, and a 
cannonade innnediately began. In front of 
the town was a fordable rivulet, with bridg- 
es, corresponding with the different roads. 
Greene had stationed parties to guard the 
bridges, and they obstinately disputed the 
passage, until they were overpowered, and 
compelled to retreat. He then fell back, and 
took post on a range of hills, where he ex- 
pected to be again attacked, and made pre- 
parations to give the enemy a warm recep- 
tion. Instead of pursuing their advantage, 
the British set fire to the village, and re- 
treated to Elizabethtown, whither they were 
pursued with impetuosity, by the militia un- 
der Greene, who were provoked at the burn- 
ing of Springfield. Before six o'clock the 



140 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

next morning, the British had evacuated the 
Jerseys, and destroyed the bridge of boats 
which communicated with Staten Island. 
The object of Sir Henry Chnton in this ex- 
pedition, was the destruction of the Ameri- 
can magazines in that quarter, but the obsti- 
nate resistance of General Greene at Spring- 
field, deterred him from advancing into a 
country where he could have been so advan- 
tageously assailed by an inferior force. 

In the autumn of 1780, Major Andre, who 
had been sent by Sir Henry Clinton to con- 
cert measures with General Arnold for be- 
traying the post at West Point, was seized 
within the American lines, and tried and 
executed as a spy. The part General Greene 
was called upon to perform in this melan- 
choly aifair, was a most painful one. Ge- 
neral Washington detailed a court for the 
trial of Andre, consisting of fourteen general 
officers, La Fayette and Steuben being two 
of the number, and General Greene was ap- 
pointed to preside. The court were unani- 
mous in the opinion, that he had been taken 
as a spy, and must suffer death. The sen- 
tence was ordered to be carried into execu» 



NAT HA Mi: I. tiHEKNi:. Ml 

tiou on the day after it was declared. Andre 
did not complain of the sentence, but he 
urgently entreated that he might be permit- 
ted to die a soldier's death. In a letter to 
General Washington, he made a most pow- 
erful and pathetic appeal to him, to modify 
the sentence, so that he should not be com- 
pelled to die on a gibbet. This letter affect- 
ed the commander-in-chief to such a degree, 
that he referred it to his general officers for 
their opinion. With one exception, they 
were unanimous in their desire, that Andre 
should be shot. General Greene alone re- 
fnsed to yield his judgment to the feelings of 
sympalliy it was so natural to indulge. 

•Andre," said he to Washington, "is 
rither a spy, or an innocent man. If the 
latter, to execute him, in any way, will be 
murder; if the former, the mode of his death 
is prescribed by law, and you liave no right 
to alt«'r it. Nor is this all. At the present 
alarming crisis of our aflairs, the pubhc 
safety calls for a solemn and impressive ex- 
ample. Nothing can satisfy it, short of the 
execution of the prisoner, as a common spy; 
a character of which his own confession has 



142 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

clearly convicted him. Beware how yon 
siifier your feelings to triumph over your 
judgment. Indulgence to one may be death 
to thousands. Besides, if you shoot the pri- 
soner, instead of hanging him, you will ex- 
cite suspicion, which you will be unable to 
allay. Notwithstanding all your efforts to 
the contrary, you will awaken public com- 
passion, and the belief will become general, 
that, in the case of Major Andre, there were 
exculpating circumstances, entitling him to 
lenity beyond what he received — perhaps, 
entitling him to pardon. Hang him, there- 
fore, or set him free !" It is unnecessary to 
add, that the commander-in-chief decided to 
follow the advice of Greene, and Andre was 
executed as a spy. 

On the 5th of October, Congress passed a 
resolution, requiring the commander-in-chief 
to order a court of inquiry into the conduct 
of Major General Gates, as commander of 
the southern army, and to appoint another 
officer to that command till such inquiry 
should be made. General Washington in- 
stantly recommended General Greene, as a 
person fully qualified to assume the com- 



NATHAMCL GRECXE. 1 13 

mand, and he was soon after appointed. 
Writing on this snbjcct to Mr. Mathews, a 
delegate fron\ South Carohna, Washington 
remarked: "I thinl* I am giving you a ge- 
neral; but what can a general do without 
men, without arms, without clothes, without 
stores, without provisions V' 

The defeat of General Gates at Camden 
had been a sad blow to the American arms 
in that quarter, but General Greene set him- 
self eagerly at work to remedy tiie evil. 
On his way to join tlie army, he visited the 
governors and legislatures of the states 
through which he passed, and urged them 
to furnish him with the supplies and rein- 
forcements which were absolutely necessary, 
in order to enable him to act with any de- 
gree of efficiency. 

On the 2d day of December, 17S0, he ar- 
rived at Charlotte, the head quarters of Ge- 
neral Gates, and assumed the command, at. 
the same time treating his predecessor with 
the most marked courtesy and kindness. In 
a few hours al'ter entering on his new duties, 
General (ircene received the inlbrmation that 
Colonel Washington, at the head of a small 



144 NATHANIEL GREENE, 

party, had captured Colonel Rugely, a mili- 
tia officer in the British service, and one hun- 
dred and twelve men. This circumstance 
revived the spirits of his little army, which 
consisted, at this time, of two thousand three 
hundred and seven men; two thousand and 
twenty-nine of whom were infantry, and the 
remainder cavalry, artillery, and continentals 
on extra service. Of the infantry, only eight 
hundred and twenty-one were continentals, 
and the remainder were militia. 

General Greene soon found that he could 
not remain long at Charlotte, as the country 
between that place and Camden, had been 
so frequently traversed by the contending 
armies, that it was entirely exhausted of sup- 
plies. The command of the hght troops had 
been previously entrusted to General Mor- 
gan, and General Greene placed him at the 
head of one of the divisions of his army, 
'consisting of nearly four hundred infantry, 
under Lieutenant Colonel Howard, one hun- 
dred and seventy Virginia riflemen, under 
Major Triplett, and eighty light dragoons un- 
der Lieutenant Colonel Washington. With 
this small force, Morgan was sent to observe 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 145 

tlic British at Wynnesborough and Camden, 
witl) instructions to shift for himself, but to 
risk as Httle as possible. On the 25th of De- 
cember he took a position near the conlluence 
of the Pacolet and Broad rivers. 

With the other division of the army, Ge- 
neral Greene left Charlotte on tlie 20th, and 
on the 26th of December arrived at Hicks' 
corner, on the east side of the Pedee, oppo- 
site the Cheraw hills, where he remained 
some time. On the 27th, General Morgan 
detached Colonel Washington, with his dra- 
goons and two hundred militia, who the next 
day marched forty miles, surprised a body 'of 
loyalists at Ninety-Six, killed and wounded 
one hundred and fifty, and took forty prison- 
ers, without sustainingau}' loss. At this time, 
Moriran was joined by Major McDowell, with 
two hundred North Carolina, and by Colo- 
nial Pickens with seventy South Carolina mi- 
litia. 

On the 11th of January, 1781, General 
Ah)rgan was informed that Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Tarlcton had been detached by Lord 
Cornwallis, with a force of one thousand and 
<>no imndred men. to drive him out of the 
10 



146 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

province. His position not being a favora- 
ble one, he therefore began to retreat, and 
crossed the Pacolet. He then continued his 
march, until he arrived at a place called the 
Cow-Pens, about three miles from the line of 
separation between North and South Caroli- 
na, where he halted his men, and made pre- 
parations to receive the enemy. He had just 
disposed his forces, when the British van ap- 
peared. 

Tarleton's success had usually depended 
on his sudden and impetuous assaults, and 
he instantly formed his men, and rushed on 
to the attack. The American volunteers and 
militia gave way, but the continentals brave- 
ly maintained their ground, until Tarleton 
ordered up his reserve. Morgan then retreat- 
ed to the summit of the eminence on which 
he was posted. The British fancied the vic- 
tory won, and pursued in some disorder. On 
reaching the top of the hill, the continentals, 
under Colonel Howard, suddenly wheeled, 
and met the enemy with a deadly fire, which 
threw them into confusion. Colonel How- 
ard then charged them with the bayonet, 
while Colonel Washington attacked the ca- 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 147 

valry. sword in liand. This terminated the 
engagement, and the whole body of the ene- 
my's infantry, with the exception of the de- 
tachment left to guard the baggage, were 
compelled to lay down their arms. In this 
battle, the British had ten commissioned offi- 
cers and upwards of one hundred privates 
killed. More than five hundred were made 
prisoners, and two pieces of artillery, two 
standards, eight hundred muskets, thirty-five 
baggage wagons, and one hundred horses, 
fell into tlie hands of the Americans, who 
lost only twelve men killed, and about sixty 
v.'ounded. 

As soon as Cornwall is was advised of 
Tarlcton's defeat, he determined to advance 
rapidly on Morgan, re-take his prisoners, and 
prevent his union with General Greene. 
Morgan was apprehensive of danger, and he 
prosecuted his retreat without delay. Cross- 
ing Broad river, at the upper fords, he has- 
tened to the Catawba, which he reached on 
the evening of the 2Sth, and passed in safety, 
about two hours before the van of the British 
army hove in sight. On the night of the 
2Sth, the river rose so unexpectedly, in con- 



148 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

sequence of the excessive rains, that it was 
impossible to cross over the next day. This 
providential interposition saved Morgan's 
detachment, as Cornwallis had destroyed all 
his superfluous baggage, and was fast closing 
up with him, when he reached the Catawba. 
It was two days before the inundation sub- 
sided, and in that interval, Morgan sent off 
his prisoners, under a strong escort, to Char- 
lottesville, in Virginia. 

On the 31st of January, General Greene 
arrived in Morgan's camp and assumed the 
command. He had heard of the latter' s vic- 
tory and danger, and, leaving his division 
under the command of General Huger and 
Colonel Williams, accompanied by only one 
aid-de-camp, and two or three mounted mi- 
litia men, he set out to meet Morgan, who 
was then one hundred and fifty miles distant. 
Being informed, while on his route, that 
Cornwallis was in rapid pursuit of Morgan, 
he despatched instructions to Huger and 
Williams, to march as fast as possible, in 
order to join the other division at Charlotte, 
or Salisbury. 

The river having subsided on the 31st, 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 149 

Cornwallis resolved to attempt the passage, 
although the fords were all guarded. Early 
on the morning of the 1st of February, he 
left his ground, and succeeded in crossing 
the river at a private ford near McCowan's. 
General Davidson had been sent on the pre- 
vious evening, with three hundred militia, to 
guard this ford, with directions to post his 
men close by the side of the river. He, how- 
ever, stationed only a small party on the 
bank, while the rest of his force were en- 
camped at a distance. He endeavored to ob- 
viate the consequences of his mistake when 
it was too late, and lost his life in the vain 
elfort to prevent the British troops from ef- 
tecting their passage. His defeat opened the 
river, and all the American parties retreated. 
General Greene marched with such rapid- 
ity that he crossed the Yadkin at the trading 
lord on the night between the 2d and 3d of 
February, partly by fording, and partly by 
means ol' boats and tlats. So closely was he 
pursued, that the British van was ot\en in 
sight of the American rear, and a sharp con- 
llict ensued^between a body of ridcmen and 
the advanced guard of the enemy, a short 



150 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

distance from the ford. General Greene se- 
cured all the boats on the south side of the 
river, and here he was again befriended by 
the elements. The river suddenly rose, by 
reason of the heavy rains, and the British 
were unable to pass. Lord Cornwallis then 
resolved to march up the south bank of the 
river about twenty-five miles, and cross at 
the shallow fords near its source. General 
Greene continued on his route northward, 
and on the 7th of February joined the di- 
vision under Huger and Williams, near 
Guilford Court House. 

General Greene's army now consisted of 
two thousand infantry, and between two 
hundred and three hundred cavalry. He 
believed the force under CornwaUis to ex- 
ceed two thousand five hundred men, and 
as his men were but poorly equipped, he de- 
termined to avoid a battle, and continue his 
march into Virginia. In order to cover his 
retreat and check the pursuing enemy, he 
formed a light corps from the flower of his 
troops, and placed them under the command 
of Colonel Williams. On the 10th of Febru- 
ary, General Greene left Guilford Court 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 151 

House on his march toward the Dan, the 
largest and most southern branch of the Ro- 
anoke, which separates North Carohna from 
Virginia. The retreat and pursuit were 
equally rapid ; but the activity of the Ameri- 
can light troops compelled the British to 
march in compact order, and with great cau- 
tion. On one occasion, Colonel Lee charged 
the advanced cavalry of the enemy, killed a 
number, and made some prisoners. 

General Greene's preparations for crossing 
the river were successful, and on the 1 4th he 
passed it, without difficulty. Although his 
light corps had marched forty miles that day, 
the last of them had scarcely reached the 
northern bank, when the advanced guard of 
the British army appeared on the other side 
of the river. As the river was deep, and all 
the boats removed from the southern bank of 
the stream, by direction of General Greene, 
Cornwallis was compelled, though much 
against his will, to give up the pursuit. 

The retreat of General Greene, and his es- 
cape into Virginia, without sustaining any 
serious loss, called forth, on all sides, the 
strongest expressions of admiration. His re- 



152 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

markable foresight and prudence, in the midst 
of the most trying difficulties, were never 
more signally manifested. Lord Cornwallis 
himself formed a higher and juster estimate 
of his opponent. "Greene," said he, "is as 
dangerous as Washington. He is vigilant, 
enterprising, and full of resources. With but 
little hope of gaining any advantage over 
him, I never feel secure when encamped in 
his neighborhood." 

"In Virginia," says the American Bio- 
graphical Dictionary, "General Greene re- 
ceived som^e reinforcements, and had the 
promise of more ; on which he returned 
again into North Carolina, where, on their 
arrival, he hoped to be able to act on the of- 
fensive. He encamped in the vicinity of 
Lord Cornwallis' army. By a variety of the 
best concerted manoeuvres, he so judiciously 
supported the arrangement of his troops, by 
the secrecy and promptitude of his motions, 
that, during three weeks, while the enemy re- 
mained near him, he prevented them from 
taking any advantage of their superiority, 
and even cut off all opportunity of their re- 
ceiving succor from the royalists. About the 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 153 

beginning of March, he effected a junction 
with a continental regiment, and two con- 
siderable bodies of Virginia and Carolina 
militia. He then determined on attacking 
tlic British commander, without loss of time, 
' being persuaded,' as he declared in his sub- 
sequent despatches, ' that if he was success- 
ful, it would prove ruinous to the enemy; 
and, if otherwise, that it would be but a par- 
tial evil to him.' On the 14th, he arrived at 
Guilford Court House, the British then lying 
at twelve miles distance. 

'• His army consisted of about four thou- 
sand live hundred men, of whom near two- 
thirds were North Carolina and Virginia 
militia. The British were about two thou- 
sand four hundred ; all regular troops, and 
the greater part inured to toil and service, in 
their long expedition under Cornwallis, wiio, 
on the morning of the 15th, being apprised 
of (>eneral Cireenc's intentions, marched to 
meet him. The latter disposed his army in 
tliree hues: the militia of North Carolina 
were in iVont, the second line was composed 
of those of Virginia, and the third, which 
was the llower of the army, was formed of 



154 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

continental troops^ near fifteen hundred in 
number. They were flanked on both sides 
by cavalry and riflemen, and were posted on 
a rising ground, a mile and a half from 
Guilford Court House. 

'• The engagement commenced at half an 
hour after one o'clock, by a brisk cannonade, 
after which the British advanced in three 
columns, and attacked the first line, com- 
posed of North Carolina militia. These, 
who probably had never been in action be- 
fore, were panic struck at the approach of 
the enemy, and many of them ran away 
without firmg a gun, or being fired upon, and 
even before the British had come nearer than 
one hundred and forty yards to them. Part 
of them, however, fired, but they then fol- 
lowed the example of their comrades. Their 
officers made every possible eflbrt to rally 
them ; but neither the advantages of their 
position, nor any other consideration, could 
induce them to maintain their ground. 

" This shameful conduct had a great effect 
upon the issue of the battle. The next line, 
however, behaved much better. They fought 
with great bravery, and were thrown into 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 155 

disorder, rallied, returned to the charge, and 
kept up a heavy fire for a long time, but 
were at lengtli broken, and driven on the 
third hne, Avhen the engagement became ge- 
neral, very severe, and very bloody. At 
length, superiority of discipline carried the 
day from superiority of numbers. The con- 
flict endured an hour and a half: and was 
terminated by General Greene's orderiug a 
retreat, when he perceived that the enemy 
were on the point of encircling his troops." 

General Greene continued his retreat to 
Reedy Fork, three miles from the field of 
battle. After waiting some time to collect the 
stragglers, he retired to Speedwell's Iron 
Works, on Troublesome creek, ten miles from 
Guilford Court House, which was the ap- 
pointed rendezvous in case of a defeat. 

This was one of the severest engagements 
in the course of the war. In every battle 
where Greene commanded, many of the 
Americans fought obstinately, and, in this 
action, the Virginia militia displayed more 
than ordinary bravery ; the brigade under 
General Stevens did not retreat, until that 
officer saw that his men were about to be 



156 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

charged with the bayonet, which he knew 
they could not withstand, both on account of 
their disciphne, and of their being without 
that weapon. General Greene lost four of his 
field pieces, which were the whole of his ar- 
tillery, and two wagons. About three hun- 
dred of the continentals, and one hundred of 
the Virginia militia, were killed, or wound- 
ed. Upward of eight hundred of the Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina militia were miss- 
ing after the engagement, most of whom re- 
turned home, and never rejoined the army. 
The British lost several officers, and more 
than a third of their troops engaged in the 
battle, fell. According to the official returns, 
their loss was five hundred and thirty-two, 
in killed, wounded, and missing. 

Cornwallis gained no permanent advan- 
tage from this engagement. His embarrass- 
ments were increased, instead of being relie- 
ved ; and so far from being able to follow up 
his victory, he himself was obliged to fall 
back. On the third day after the battle, he 
began to retreat, leaving behind him about 
seventy wounded men, under the protection 
of a flag of truce, whom he recommended, in 



NATHANIKL GREENE. 157 

a letter written by himself, to the humanity 
of the American commander. 

When General Greene took his position at 
the iron \V()rks on Troublesome creek, he ex- 
pected that Cornwallis Avould renew the en- 
gagement, and he made preparations for an- 
other conflict. As soon as he received the 
information of the retreat of his opponent, he 
commenced the pursuit, and followed him so 
closely that skirmishes occasionally happen- 
ed between his advanced i)arlies, and the 
rear guard of the British army. On the 28th 
of March, he arrived at Ramsay's Mills, on 
Deep river, where he was compelled to pause, 
on account of the condition of liis troops, 
who had sufl!ered much from heavy rains, 
deep roads, and scarcity of provisions. Some 
of them were in rags, and many were bare- 
looted : the blood flowing from the gashes in 
their naked feet, marking their line of march. 
These hardships were endured witliout a 
nuu'nuir ; but, as the militia had nearly all 
left him, and his force was reduced to about 
one thousand and seven hundred men, Gene- 
ral Greene determined to give up the pur- 
suit, and proceed to South Carolina. 



158 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

One of his ofRcers, who had distmguished 
himself in the action at Guilford Court House, 
not satisfied AVith the plan of operations, in- 
quired of General Greene, hy way of remon- 
strance: "What will you do, sir, in case 
Lord Cornwallis throws himself in your rear, 
and cuts off your communication with Yir- 
ginia?" " I will punish his temerity," re- 
plied the general, " by ordering you to charge 
him as you did at the battle at Guilford. 
But never fear, sir ; his lordship has too 
much good sense, ever again to risk his safe- 
ty so far from the sea board. He has just 
escaped ruin, and he knows it ; and I am 
greatly mistaken in his character as an offi- 
cer, if he has not the capacity to proiit by ex- 
perience." 

On the 5th of April General Greene mo- 
ved from Ramsay's Mills ; and, on the 20th of 
the same month, he encamped at Logtown, 
in sight of the British works at Camden, 
which were then occupied by Lord Raw- 
don, with a force of nine hundred men. The 
American army under Greene was about one 
thousand and two hundred strong, — detach- 
ments from the main body having been sent 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 159 

in different directions through the country. 
After various unimportant movements, he 
took his position at llobkerk's hill, an emi- 
nence about a mile north from Camden. Ha- 
ving recently made several forced marches, 
with a view of intercepting reinforcements 
intended for the relief of Camden, he was 
without his artillery and baggage ; and, 
while in this condition, Lord Rawdon, who 
had been informed of the fact by a deserter, 
resolved to attack him, as the only means of 
saving his own troops. 

On the morning of the 25th of April, he 
marched from Camden, at the head of his 
whole force, and gained the left flank of the 
Americans, undiscovered. The alarm was 
innncdiately given, and as the militia and 
cannon arrived just at that moment, General 
Greene soon had his army in order of battle. 
Nothwithslanding the desperation of the Bri- 
tish soldiery, the victory would have been 
easily won, had not a regiment of continen- 
tals given way at the most critical period of 
the action. As their officers were unable to 
rally them, General Greene reluctantly or- 
dered a retreat. Lieutenant Colonel AVash- 



160 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

ington, who had charged with some cavalry, 
and gained the British rear, had, atone time, 
not less than two hundred prisoners ; but, 
seeing the infantry driven from the field, he 
paroled some wounded officers, and retired, 
taking with him about fifty prisoners, among 
whom were the royal surgeons. The Ameri- 
can loss in this action, was about two hun- 
dred, in killed, wounded, and taken prison- 
ers ; that of the British was two hundred 
and fifty-eight. 

This battle, like that at Guilford, dimi- 
nished Lord Rawdon's strength, while it gave 
him only a temporary advantage. General 
Greene retired to Rugely's Mills ; and, from 
time to time, took such positions as would 
prevent the garrison at Camden from recei- 
ving any supplies. While encamped behind 
Saunders' creek, he was attacked by Lord 
Rawdon, who had been reinforced by Colo- 
nel Watson with four hundred men; but, 
after driving in the outposts, and observing 
the situation of the enemy, the British com- 
mander thought best to return to Camden, 
without renewing the attack; and, on the 
10th of May, he evacuated that post, leaving 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 161 

behind him thirty of his sick and wounded, 
and as many Americans, whom he had taken 
at Hobkerk's hill. After the evacuation of 
Campden, several forts garrisoned by the 
British fell into the hands of the Americans, 
together with a large quantity of military 
stores and artillery, and a number of prison- 
ers. 

On the 22d of May General Greene com- 
menced the siege of Fort Xinety-Six, with 
the main body of his little army, consisting 
of one thousand men. In a short time the 
works were so far reduced, that a surrender 
nuist soon have been made, when a rein- 
forcement of three regiments arrived at 
Charleston, and Lord Rawdon instantly has- 
tened with a force of two thousand men, to 
the relief of the post. The American gene- 
ral determined on making an assault before 
the arrival of Lord Rawdon, and on the ISth 
of June he commenced a furious attack on 
the place ; but, after obtaining a partial suc- 
cess, he found it necessary to call off his men, 
and the next day commenced his retreat. 
During the siege he lost one hundred and 
11 



162 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

fifty-five men, and the garrison had eighty- 
five killed or wounded. 

Lord Rawdon arrived at Ninety-Six on 
the 21st of June, and in the evening set out 
in pursuit of Greene ; but, as he found it im- 
possible to overtake the American army, he 
returned to Ninety-Six, evacuated the place, 
and contracted his posts. 

General Greene immediately returned to- 
ward the Congaree, and his light troops were 
constantly hovering around the British troops, 
in their retreat to Orangeburgh. He soon af- 
ter retired to the high hills of Santee, as the 
intense heat of the summer rendered it ne- 
cessary to refresh his men, and remained 
there until the 22d of August. 

He still continued to adhere to his noble 
declaration: " I will recover the country or 
die in the attempt !" and on leaving the hills 
of Santee, he again advanced toward the 
Congaree. The British army, consisting of 
about tAvo thousand five hundred men, was 
now under command of Colonel Stuart, who 
retired, on the approach of Greene, about 
forty miles, to the Eutaw Springs, where he 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 1G3 

was reinforced by a considerable detach- 
ment. 

Having been joined by Marion and Samp- 
ter, and a brigade of continental troops from 
North Carolina, General Greene resolved on 
attacking the British army. At four in the 
morning of the IStli of September, he ad- 
vanced toward their encampment, in the fol- 
lowing order : The Sonth and North Caro- 
lina militia, commanded by Generals Pick- 
ens and Marion, formed the first line; the 
second was composed of continental troops ; 
the North Carolina brigade, under General 
Sumner was on the right : that of Virginia, 
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, 
was in the centre : and that of Maryland, 
under Colonel Williams, was on the left. 
Lee's legion covered the right flank, and the 
state troops of South Carolina, under Colonel 
Henderson, covered the left ; Washington's 
cavalry and Kirkwood's infantry formed the 
reserve. 

As the Americans advanced to the attack, 
they fell in with the advanced parties of the 
enemy, and drove them back, when the ac- 
tion soon became general. The militia dis- 



164 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

played an unusual degree of firmness, but 
were obliged slowly to give way. The north 
Carolina troops then advanced with intrepid- 
ity. Colonels Williams and Campbell char- 
ged at once with the bayonet, and for a time 
the conflicting ranks were intermingled, and 
the officers fought hand to hand. At this 
time, Lee had turned the left flank of the 
British, and charged them in the rear. They 
were then taken and driven off" the field, 
with the loss of their artillery. '' Nothing," 
says Dr. Ramsay, ''could surpass the intre- 
pidity of both officers and men on this occa- 
sion. They rushed on in good order, through 
a heavy cannonade, and a shower of musket- 
ry, with such unshaken resolution, that they 
bore down all before them." The British 
were closely pursued, but a detachment gain- 
ed possession of a large three story brick 
house in the rear, and another occupied a 
palisaded garden, and some close shrubbery, 
ground, from which they poured forth a 
close and destructive fire. The Americans 
made the most desperate efforts to dislodge 
them ; but every attack was unsuccessful. 
Four pieces of artillery were brought to bear 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 165 

on the house, but made no impression. Al- 
most all the artillery men were killed or 
wounded, and the cannon had been pushed 
so near the house that they could not be 
brought oir. Colonel Washington made an 
attempt to turn the right flank of the enemy, 
but was wounded and taken prisoner. Ge- 
neral Greene then drew off* his men, and af- 
ter leaving a strong picquet on the field of 
battle, retired with his prisoners to the ground 
he had left in the morning, in order to ob- 
tain water for his fainting troops. 

This action was severely felt on both sides. 
The Americans lost five hundred and fifty- 
live in killed, wounded, and missing ; sixty 
commissioned officers were among the suf- 
ferers, of whom seventeen were killed on the 
spot, and four mortally wounded. Lieute- 
nant Colonel Campbell was among the slain. 
'J'hr British lost six hundred and ninety-three 
men in killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. 

Sonir idea of the bravery of the American 
troops on this occasion, may be gathered from 
the following description of their condition, 
given in Judge Johnson's life of General 
Greene : 



166 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

"At the battle of the Eutaw Sprmgs, 
Greene says, 'that hundreds of men, were 
naked as they were born.' Posterity will 
scarcely believe the bare loins of many brave 
men who carried death into the enemy's 
ranks at the Eutaw, were galled by their 
cartouch boxes, while a folded rag, or a tuff 
of moss, protected the shoulders from sus- 
taining the same injury from the musket. 
Men of other times will inquire, by what ma- 
gic was the army kept together ? By what 
supernatural power was it made to fight ?" 

In his letters to the secretary of war. Ge- 
neral Greene said: "We have three hun- 
dred men without arms, and more than one 
thousand so naked that they can be put on 
duty, only in cases of desperate nature." 
* -^ ^ * * " Our difficulties are so numerous, 
and our wants so pressing, that I have not a 
moment's relief from the most painful anx- 
ieties. I have more embarrassments than it 
is proper to disclose to the world. Let it 
suffice to say, that this part of the United 
States has had a narrow escape. I have 
been seven months in the field, without ta- 
king off my clothes." 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 167 

The British remaiiiod on the field, on the 
night after the battle at bjiitaw ; but, as the 
lii^ht troops under (General Marion and Colo- 
nel Lee had been detached to gain a position 
in their rear, they destroyed part of their 
stores on the next day, and began to retreat 
towards Monk's Corner, leaving about seven- 
ty of their wounded men, to the protection of 
the Americans. Colonel Stuart was con- 
siderably galled by Marion and Lee in his 
retreat ; part of his rear guard was cut off; 
several of his men were killed, and a num- 
ber made prisoners. The condition of Gene- 
ral Greene's army again compelled him to re- 
turn to his former encampment on the high 
hills of Santee. 

The battle of Eutaw Springs effectually put 
an end to the war in the southern states. Ge- 
neral Greene was honored by Congress with 
a British standard, and a gold medal, em- 
blematical of the engagement, '' for his wise, 
decisive, and magnanimous conduct, in the 
action at FiUtaw Springs, in which, with a 
force inferior in number to that of the ene- 
my, he obtained a most signal victory." 
While Genera] Cireene was encamped on 



168 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

the hills of Santee, he received the intelli- 
gence of the execution of Colonel Haynes, 
at Charleston, in obedience to the directions 
of Lord Cornwallis. He was exceedingly 
indignant on the occasion, inasmuch as a 
considerable part of the province of South 
Carolina was wrested from the British ; and 
shortly afterward issued a proclamation, 
threatening " to make British officers the ob- 
jects of retaliatory vengeance." Toward 
the close of November, he suddenly appear- 
ed before the British post at Dorchester ; and 
after some skirmishing, the garrison retired 
to Charleston. He then posted his troops on 
both sides of the river Ashley ; completely 
covered the country from the Cooper to the 
Edisto; and confined the British to Charles- 
ton necky and the neighboring islands. The 
British force in Georgia was at the same 
time concentrated at Savannah. 

After the capture of Yorktown, General 
Greene was reinforced by a body of troops 
under General St. Clair. On his arrival, 
General Wayne was detached across the San- 
tee, to protect the State of Georgia. Several 
sharp skirmishes took place with the British 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 169 

outposts at Savannah, but the garrison eva- 
cuated the post on the 11th of July, 1782, 
and retired from the province. 

General Greene remained with his troops, 
in the vicinity of Charleston, until its eva- 
cuation by the British, on the 1 hh of De- 
cember. 17S2. After the cessation of hostili- 
ties, he witlidrew from the south, and return- 
ed to his native state, where he was received 
in a manner highly honorable to himself, and 
to the citizens, who exhibited their attach- 
ment and regard, by every demonstration of 
welcome and joy. On the close of the war, 
the three southern states which had been es- 
]>ecially benefitted by his exertions, manifest- 
ed their gratitude to him by lilx^ral dona- 
tian.s. South Carolina prosoufcd him with 
an estate valued at ten thousand pounds ster- 
ling; Georgia, with an estate a few miles from 
Savaimah, worth five thousand pounds ; and 
North Carolina, with twenty-five thousand 
acres of land in Tennessee. 

In October, 1785, General Greene removed 
with his family to Georgia, and settled on 
his estate, near Savannah. While walking 



170 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

over his grounds, on the 15th of June, 1786, 
he was suddenly attacked with a stroke of 
the sun, which occasioned his death on the 
19th of the month. As soon as the intelh- 
gence reached Savannah, all business was 
suspended ; the dwelling houses, stores, and 
shops were closed ; and the flags of the ship- 
ping in the harbor were displayed at half 
mast. On the following day, the body was 
conveyed to the town, and, at the request of 
the inhabitants, interred in a private ceme- 
tery, with military honors ; the magistrates 
of the place, and other public oflicers, the 
society of the Cincinnati, and the citizens 
generally, joining in the procession, to pay 
the last tribute of respect to the gallant hero 
of the south, whose career of honor and of 
usefulness had thus suddenly been brought 
to a close. 

The fact that the army were accustomed 
to regard General Greene as the favorite 
officer of the commander-in-chief, is, of itself, 
a high tribute to his military acquirements. 
At his first appearance in the army at Cam- 
bridge, he Wcis pronounced by Colonel Pick- 



NATHANIEL GREENE. 171 

eriiii^ and others, to be ''a man of real mi- 
litary genius." General Knox remarked of 
Greene, to a distinguished citizen of South 
Carolina : '• His knowledge is intuitive. He 
came to us the rawest, and most untutored 
being I ever met with; but in less than 
twelve months, he was equal in military 
knowledge, to any general officer in the army, 
and very superior to most of them." Colo- 
nel Tarleton often said, that " General Greene 
was the most able and accomplished com- 
mander that America had produced," and 
Luzerne, the accomplished minister of France, 
himself a knight of Malta, and a competent 
judge of military merit, pronounced the fol- 
lowing encomium on his character as a 
soldier : 

'* Other generals subdue their enemies by 
the means with which their country, or their 
sovereign furnished them, but Greene ap- 
pears to subdue his enemy, by his own 
means. He commenced his campaign with- 
out either an army, provisions, or military 
stores. He has asked for nothing since ; and 
yet, scarcely a post arrives from the south, 



172 NATHANIEL GREENE. 

that does not bring intelligence of some new 
advantage gained over his foe. He conquers 
by magic. History furnishes no parallel to 
this." 



NATHAN HALE. 



His noble, self -sac Hficing Devotion to the Country. — Crim- 
inal Neglect of Memory. — His Melancholy Fate. — Vol- 
unteers to cross over to Long Island to ascertain the 
numbers, position and movements of the British Army, 
after the defeat of the Americans in the Battle of Long 
Island. — Detected and Arrested as a Spy. — Avows his 
Attachment to the American Cause, arid the Object of his 
Visit. — Orders for his Execution. — Barbarous treat' 
vient of the English before his Death. His noble bearing 
and hi* cheerful Resignation to his cruel Fate. 

'VwE firmness, intrepidity, and self-sacri- 
iicing devotion of Nathan Hale, to the wel- 
fare of his country, led to one of the most 
interesting, though painful incidents, that 
transpired during the revohitionary war. 
The circumstances under which he came to 
his melancholy end, are such as reflect the 
highest honor on his patriotism, and demand 
from his countrymen, for the protection of 



174 NATHAN HALE. 

whose liberties he freely offered up his life, 
that grateful remembrance which such deeds 
ought ever to inspire. The memory of An- 
dre is, at this day, fondly and faithfully 
cherished by the true-hearted Englishman. 
Honors and rewards liberally bestowed on 
his family, and magnificent monuments 
reared to commemorate his services and 
name, have evinced to the world that the 
soldier, who assumes the character of a spy, 
in the service of his country, is untainted 
with reproach or dishonor. The fate of 
Hale was like his, dark and unfortunate. 
But the fame of the one has been rescued 
from oblivion, while that of the other is left 
to straggle, unaided, against the advancing 
current of time. Such things should not be. 
America is rich in proud memories, and hal- 
lowed associations ; but her gratitude should 
be equal to them all — not one of her ''jewels" 
should be left unprized, or unhonored. 

On the night of the 29th of August, 1776, 
the American troops under Washington, in 
consequence of their severe defeat in the 
battle on Long Island, left their encampment 
at Brooklyn, and crossed the East river, un- 



NATHAN HALE. 175 

rceived by the enemy. The advanced 
♦'^itinel of the British army was surprised, 
on the morning of the 30th, by the unusual 
stillness of the American lines. Calling two 
or three comrades, they proceeded to recon- 
noitre. On creeping near the embankment, 
and cautiously peeping into the camp, they 
perceived not a vestige of the army to whose 
challenges they had listened the night before. 
The alarm was given, and the party who 
rushed in to take possession of the works, 
saw, in the middle of the river, and beyond 
the reach of their fire, the last of the barges 
wliich had been employed to transport the 
American troops ; and, beyond it, Washing- 
ton himself was seated in a small boat, calm- 
ly surveying the scene. The whole army, 
consisting of nine thousand men, with all 
their artillery, stores, and ammunition, were 
thus transported to New York, without sus- 
taining any loss or injury. 

The retreat of Washington left the British 
in complete possession of Long Island ; and 
it became of the highest importance to the 
American commander-in-chief, to obtain im- 
mediate and accurate information in regard 



176 NATHAN HALE. 

to the numbers of the enemy, their situati'- :, 
and their future movements. For this piis 
pose he applied to Lieutenant Colonel Knowl- 
ton, who commanded a regiment of light 
infantry, which formed the rear of the Ame- 
rican army, on its retreat to Harlem, to pro- 
vide him with some suitable person to cross 
the river in disguise, and obtain the necessary 
information. Colonel KnowUon at once sug- 
gested the matter to Nathan Hale, who was 
a native of Connecticut, and at that time a 
captain in his regiment. 

Hale instantly volunteered to undertake 
the enterprise himself, and after receiving his 
instructions, set out for the British camp. He 
passed over to Long Island, examined the 
British army, and obtained all the informa- 
tion possible respecting their disposition, 
and their future operations. In attempting 
to return to New York, his disguise was 
penetrated. He was immediately apprehend- 
ed and taken before Sir William Howe. The 
proof of his intentions was so clear and con- 
vincing, that he did not hesitate to avow his 
name and rank, and the purposes for which 
he visited the island. With undaunted cour- 



NATHAN HALE. 177 

age lie boldly declared his attachment to the 
American cause, and refused to compromise 
his integrity, by listening to the tempting of- 
fers which were held out to him to betray his 
country. 

The usages of war required the death of 
Hale, and Sir William Howe issued an order 
to have him executed the next morning. 
This order was carried into effect in the most 
barbarous and inhuman manner. With 
unllinching resolution and fortitude, Hale 
proceeded to the place appointed. He had 
voluntarily assumed the character of a spy, 
and he was prepared to abide the conse- 
quences of detection. He requested the 
presence of a clergyman tor a few moments 
previous to his death, but this was refused. 
He then asked for a Bible, and this request 
was also denied. He had written several 
letters on the morning of his death, to his 
mother, his betrothed wife, and his other 
frieuds, which lie desired should be forward- 
ed to them. The.se iimocent messages of 
filial alfcction and 4ove, were wantonly de- 
stroyed by the provost marshal, who declared, 
'• Ihif the rchch should nol /c/ioir I hey had a 



178 NATHAN HALE. 

man in their army icho could die with so 
much firmness /" 

Without making any further efforts to 
move his heartless persecutors, who were 
unwilhng to accord to him the last offices of 
kindness and sympatJiy, Hale submitted 
quietly to his fate, declaring with his dynig 
breath, that "he only lamented, tliat lie had 
hut one life to lose for his country /" Thus 
perished this noble martyr to the cause of 
American Independence. In the flower of 
youth, unfriended and alone, denied even one 
last word of remembrance to the mother who 
bore him, he offered up his life as a sacrifice 
for his country. Yet, to the last, he display- 
ed a Roman firmness, worthy of all com- 
mendation. Though in the midst of tribula- 
tion, he was sustained by the proud, true 
soul within him, and by his reliance upon 
that Providence who watched over and pro- 
tected his countrymen through the long night 
of the revolution. 



EiNRY KNOX. 



Ifti Btrik and lldncatton. — Karly enters the Amciicati 
Service. — Undertakes and accumplishes a most hazard- 
ous Enterprise. — Appointed la the Corninand of the 
Artillery Corp*. — His Gallant Conduct at Trenton, 
Brandyirinc, Gcrmanluicn and Monviouth. — llis close 
tntimacy with Washington, throughout the IVar. — 
Washington's warm attachment to him. — Appointed to 
the Command of West Point. — Employed to Disband 
the Army. — Appointed Secretary of War. — Retires to 
his vast Estate in Maine. — Appointed to the Command 
of the American Forces in anticipation of a War icifh 
France. — His Literary Attainments, and noble traits of 
character. — 7'Ac opinions entertained of his Military 
Talents, by eminent Foreign Generals. 

The following memoir of this gallant and 
accomplisliod olliccr, is mainly extracted from 
Dr. Thatcher's "Military Journal, during the 
American Revolutionary War." Ahhough 
ahounding in strong expressions of admira- 
tion, it does no more than justice to the faith- 



180 HENRY KNOX. 

fill soldier, who stood by the side of Wash- 
ington in many a well-fought field, and was 
honored with his warmest esteem and con- 
fidence. 

General Knox was born in Boston, in the 
month of July, 1750. His childhood and 
youth were employed in obtaining the best 
education that the justly celebrated schools 
of his native town could afford. In very 
early life he opened a bookstore, for the en- 
largement of which he soon formed an ex- 
tensive correspondence in Europe. But a 
short time elapsed before he was induced, at 
the call of his country, to relinquish his lu- 
crative and rapidly increasing business. 

Indebted to no adventitious aid, his cha- 
racter was formed by himself; the native 
and vigorous principles of his own mind, de- 
veloped and strengthened by education and 
his early association with men, made him 
what he was. Distinguished among his as- 
sociates, from the first dawn of manhood, for 
a decided predilection for martial exercises, 
at the age of eighteen, he was selected by the 
young men of Boston as one of the officers of 
a company of grenadiers — a company so dis- 



hkm:y KNOX. 181 

tingiiishcd for ils martial a])pcarancc, and 
tlu^ precision of its evolutions, that it received 
tlic nu)st flattering t'uconiiinns from a British 
(diicer of high distinction. 

Tliis early scene of liis military labors, 
served but as a school for the development 
of that distinguished talent which after- 
wards shone with lustre, in the most brilliant 
campaigns of an eight years' war, through 
the whole of which General Knox com- 
manded the artillery, and directed its opera- 
tions with consummate skill and bravery. 

(ieneral Knox was early enlisted in the 
defence of the oppressed colonists ; his lieart 
was deeply interested in the cause of free- 
dom ; he felt it to be a righteous cause, and 
to its accomplishment cheerfully yielded 
every other consideration. When hostilities 
were declared by Great Britain, he hesitated 
not an instant in determining what course he 
shcnild adopt. Xo sordid calculation of in- 
terest retarded his decision. The (piiet of 
domestic life, the fair prospect of increasing 
wealth, and even the endearing claims of fa- 
mily and friends, though urged with the most 



182 HENRY KNOX. 

persuasive eloquence, had no power to divert 
the determined purpose of his mind. 

In the early stages of British hostihty, 
though not in commission, he was not an in- 
active spectator. At the battle of Bunker 
Hill, he was present as a volunteer, and con- 
stantly exposed himself to danger, in recon- 
noitering the movements of the enemy. 
Subsequently, his active mind was engaged 
with others in preparing those measures that 
were ultimately to dislodge the British troops 
from their boasted possession of the capital 
of New England. 

Immediately after the arrival of Washington 
at Boston, and the commencement of prepara- 
tions for the siege of Boston, it was perceived 
that without artillery, of which the army 
were then destitute, the most important ob- 
jects of the war could not be accomplished. 
No resource presented itself, but the despe- 
rate expedient of procuring it from the Ca- 
nadian frontier. Upwards of one hundred 
pieces of cannon had been captured at Ti- 
conderoga and Crown Point; and, in the 
month of November, Fort St. John was ta- 



HENRY KNOX. 183 

kon by iho northern army, nnder General 
Alontgomcry. 

In the last mentioned fort, the Americans 
Tonnd a considerable number of brass and 
iron cannon, howitzers and mortars. To 
attempt bringing a portion of the captured 
artillery from the frontier, in the then agita- 
ted stale of the country, through a wide ex- 
t<Mit of wilderness, was an enterprise so re- 
})lete with difficulty and danger, that it was 
hardly expected any one would be foimd 
courageous enough to encounter its perils. 
Knox, however, saw the importance of the 
object — he saw his country bleeding at every 
pore, without the power of repelling her in- 
vaders — he saw the flourishing capital of the 
north in the possession of an exulting enemy, 
and that the American army were entirely 
without the means essential to their annoy- 
ance. His resolution was soon formed, and 
he decided to attempt the daring and gene- 
rous work- of supplying the Americans with 
(M*dnanc(\ however formidable the obstacles 
tliat might oppose him. 

Young, robust, and vigorous, supported 
by an undaunted spirit, and a mind ever 



184 HENRY KNOX. 

fruitful in resources, he commenced his ar- 
duous undertaking, almost unattended, to- 
ward the close of the year 1775, relying solely 
for the execution of his object, on such aid 
as he might procure from the thinly scattered 
inhabitants of the dreary region through 
which he had to pass. 

Every obstacle, of season, roads, and cli- 
mate, was surmounted by the determined 
perseverance of Knox; and, in an exceed- 
ingly brief space of time, he returned laden 
with ordnance, and the stores of war, which 
had been drawn in defiance of every diffi- 
culty, over the frozen lakes and mountains 
of the north. This achievement was most 
acceptable to the American troops, and to the 
commander-in-chief 

On the night of the 4th of March, 1776, a 
strong detachment crossed Dorchester neck, 
and labored so incessantly, that two forts 
were raised before morning. While this 
work was going on, a heavy fire was kept 
up, on the town of Boston, from Knox's ar- 
tillery. It was the intention to man the for- 
tifications on Dorchester Heights with the 
cannon, and compel the British to surrender. 



HKXRY KNOX. 185- 

Jiist as every tiling was on the point of com- 
pletion, in anticipation of the attack, (ieneral 
Howe decided to abandon the town, and, on 
the 17th of March, the evacuation took place. 

For his services during the investment and 
siege of Boston, Ivnox received the most flat- 
tering testimonials of approbation from the 
commander-in-chief, and from Congress. He 
was appointed to the conmiand of the artil- 
lery corps, of which he had laid the founda- 
tion, with the rank of colonel ; and he con- 
tinued in this conmiand, constantly increa- 
sing his reputation for courage and usefulness, 
(luring the revolutionary war. The corps to 
which he belonged, was principally employed 
with the main body of the army, under the 
connnand of Washington himself, and it was 
relied on as one of tlie most valuable auxilia- 
ries in every important engagement. 

Colonel Knox accompanied General Wash- 
ington, in his retreat through New-Jersey, in 
the fall of 1770, and was attached to the di- 
vision under him, which attacked the Hes- 
sians at Trenton on the night of tlie 26th of 
December. His corps rendered eflicient ser- 
vice on that occasion, and it was their gall- 



186 HENRY KNOX. 

ing fire which compelled one thousand of 
Colonel Rhalle's force to lay down their 
arms, and surrender themselves prisoners of 
war. 

At the battle of Princeton also, Knox af- 
forded the most satisfactory evidence of his 
skill and intrepidity. At the most critical 
period of the war, when the army was in a 
suffering and inefficient condition, and the 
people were almost prepared to abandon the 
attempt to secure their independence, in the 
midst of trouble and difficulty, of danger and 
doubt, Knox was one of the few friends on 
whom Washington placed the greatest reli- 
ance. The letters of Knox, which are still 
extant, though written in the darkest peri- 
ods of the revolution, breathe a spirit of sin- 
cere devotedness to the cause in which he 
had embarked, and a firm trust in the favor 
and protection of Divine Providence. From 
a perusal of these letters, it is evident, that 
he never yielded to despondency ; but, in the 
most critical moments of the war, confidently 
anticipated its triumphant issue. 

In the bloody conflict at Brandy wine, 
Knox took an active part. Wherever his 



UKXRV KNOX. 187 

corps could be of service, nothing was want- 
ing on his part that might ensure its efficient 
co-operation with the other branches of the 
service. In September, 1781), General Knox, 
to which rank he had previously been pro- 
moted, was a member of the board of officers, 
to whom the case of Andre was referred. 
He had accidentally met with that ill-fated 
ollicer, during his expedition to Canada, and 
became deeply iiUerestcd in his fate. His 
deportment as a soldier and gentleman, en- 
listed the warmest sympathies of his heart 
in his behalf, and he afterwards expressed, 
on several occasions, his sincere regret tliat 
he had been called, by his duty, to act with 
the tribunal who pronounced his condemna- 
tion. 

^Vith()ut derogating from the merits of oth- 
er officers, it may be safely said, that during 
the hard-fought battles at Gcrmantown and 
.Monmouth, no officer was more distinguish- 
ed, than was Knox, tor the faithful discharge 
of the duties of his command, in the very 
iVont of the battle, he was seen animating 
his soldiers, and pointing the thunder of their 



188 HENRY KNOX. 

cannon. His skill and bravery were so con- 
spicnous on the latter occasion, that he re- 
ceived the particular approbation of the Gom- 
mander-in-Chief, in general orders issued by 
him on the day succeeding that of the en- 
gagement, in which he says, that " the ene- 
my have done us the justice to acknowledge, 
that no artillery could be better served than 
ours." His great exertions, together with the 
extreme heat of the day, produced the most 
alarming consequences to his health, which 
were only counteracted by timely attention. 
To these more important scenes, the services 
of Knox were not entirely confined. With a 
zeal wholly devoted to the cause, he was 
ever at the post of danger, and prompt to ren- 
der assistance when it was required. In eve- 
ry field of battle, where Washington fought, 
Knox was by his side. The confidence of 
the Commander-in-Chief, inspired by early 
services, was thus matured by succeeding 
events. There can be no higher testimony 
to his merits, than that during a war of so 
long continuance, passed almost constantly 
in the presence of Washington, he uniformly 



HENRY KNOX. 189 

retained his couiidencc and esteem, which at 
tlieir separation had ripened into friendship 
and alTection. 

The capitulation ol' Cornwalhs at York- 
town, on the 19th of October," 1781, was 
soon followed by the acknowledgment of 
American Independence. Almost the last 
military service performed by Knox, who 
had been created a major general, for his 
gallant services at Yorktown, Avas, to take 
possession of New York with an American 
detachment, after its evacuation by the Bri- 
tish, on the 25th of November, 1783. 

On the 1th of December, General Washing- 
ton met the principal officers of the army, for 
the purpose of bidding them farewell. The 
parting interview with General Knox was 
deeply affecting. 'I'hc hour of separation 
having arrived. Washington, incapable of 
utterance, grasped the hand of his friend. 
and embraced him in silence and in tears. 
His letters to the last moment of his life, con- 
tain the most flattering expressions of liis una- 
bated friendship. After the surrender of 
New- York, General Knox was appointed to 
tho command of West Point. It was here, 



190 HENRY KNOX. 

that he was employed hi the dehcate and ar- 
duous duty of disbanding the army, and in- 
ducing a soldiery, disposed to turbulence, by 
their privations and sufferings, to retire to 
domestic life, and resume the peaceful cha- 
racter of citizens. 

It is a fact, most honorable to tlie charac- 
ter of General Knox, that by his countenance 
and support, he rendered the most essential 
aid to Washington, in suppressing that spirit 
of usurpation which had been industriously 
fomented by a few unprincipled and aspiring 
men, whose aim was, the subjugation of the 
country to a military government. No hope 
of political elevation, no flattering assuran- 
ces of personal aggrandizement, could tempt 
him to build his greatness on the ruin of his 
country. After the restoration of peace. Ge- 
neral Knox was appointed Secretary of War, 
by Congress. On the orgajiization of the 
government under the Federal Constitution, 
he was continued in the same position by 
President Washington. The duties of this 
oiRce were ultimately increased, by having 
those of the navy attached to them, to the 
establishment of which, on a sound and libe- 



HENRY KNOX. 11)1 

nil footing, his counsel and exertions emi- 
ut'iitly contributed. One of tlie greatest men 
whom our country has produced, has uni- 
Ibrmly declared, that he considered America 
much indebted to his eflbrts, for the creation 
of a power which has already so essentially 
advanced her respectability and fame. 

Having remained at the head of the war 
department for eleven years, General Knox 
obtained the reluctant consent of Washing- 
ton to retire from the oflice. in order that he 
might devote his time and attention to the 
claims of a numerous and increasing family. 
His retirement was in accordance with the 
wishes of Mrs. Knox, who had accompanied 
him through the trying vicissitudes of war, 
and shared with him its toils and perils, and 
was now desirous of enjoying the tranquil 
scenes of domestic life. A portion of the 
large estate of lier ancestor. General Waldo, 
had descended to her. which General Knox 
increased by subsequent purchases, till it 
comprised the whole Waldo patent, an ex- 
tent of thirty miles stiuare, embracing a con- 
siderable portion of that section of Maine, 



192 HENRY KNOX. 

which afterwards formed the counties of 
Lincohi, Hancoci^:, and Penobscot. To these 
estates he retired from the concerns of pubhc 
hfe, honored as a soldier, and beloved as a 
man. Much of his time was devoted to the 
settlement and improvement of the district 
in which he resided. He was repeatedly- 
induced to take a share in the government 
of the State, both in the House of Repre- 
sentatives, and in the Council. In 1798, 
when the repeated injuries and aggressions 
of the Executive Directory of France called 
for resistance, he was one of the officers se- 
lected to command the American forces 
which were to be brought into the field. 
Fortunately for the country, and the world, 
his services were not required in this ca- 
pacity. 

Retired from the theatre of active life, 
General Knox still manifested a deep interest 
in the prosperity of his country. To that 
portion of it which he had chosen for his 
residence, his exertions were more immedi- 
ately directed : but his influence was felt 
and appreciated, wherever he was known. 
He died at Montpelier, his scat in Thomas- 



HENRY KNOX. 193 

ton, on the 25th day of October, 1806, at the 
age of fifty-six. 

The great quahties of General Knox were 
not merely those of the hero and the states- 
man ; with these were combined those of the 
elegant scholar, and the accomplished gen- 
tleman. His literary acquirements were 
highly creditable, and procured him the res- 
pect and esteem of many educated and in- 
telligent men. There have been those as 
brave and as learned, but rarely a union of 
such valor, with so much urbanity — rarely a 
mind so truly great, and yet so free from 
ostentation. Philanthropy filled his heart; 
in his benevolence there was no reserve ; it 
was widely and extensively felt and remem- 
bered. His feelings were strong, and exqui- 
sitely tender. In the domestic circle, they 
shone with peculiar lustre ; there, the hus- 
band, the father, and the friend, beamed in 
every smile ; and if, at any time, a cloud 
overshadowed his own spirit, he strove to 
prevent its influence from extending to those 
who were dear to him. He was frank, gene- 
rous and sincere, and, in his intercourse with 

the world, uniformly just. His house was 
13 



194 HENRY KNOX. 

the seat of elegant hospitalityj and his esti- 
mate of wealth, was its power of dift using 
happiness. 

Lord Moira, one of the most distinguished 
generals of whom England can boast, has 
spoken in the highest terms of the military 
genius of General Knox. The Marquis of 
Chastelleux said: "To praise him for his 
military talents alone, would be to deprive 
him of half the eulogiiun he merits ; a man 
of understanding, well-informed, gay, sin- 
cere, and honest, it is impossible to know 
without esteeming him, or to see without 
loving him ; thus have the English, without 
intention, added to the ornaments of the hu- 
man species, by awakening talents, where 
they least wished or expected." 

Chief Justice Marshall, in his life of Wash- 
ington, thus speaks of Knox : '' Throughout 
the contest of the revolution, this officer had 
continued at the head of the American artil- 
lery ; and from being colonel of a regiment, 
had been promoted to the rank of major ge- 
neral. In this important station, he had 
preserved a high military character, and, on 
the resignation of General Lincoln, had been 



HENRY KNOX. 195 

appointed Secretary of War. To his great 
services, and to unquestionable integrity, he 
was admitted to unite a sound understand- 
ing; and the public judgment, as well as 
that of the chief magistrate, pronounced him, 
in all respects, competent to the station he 
filled. The President was highly gratified 
in believing that his public duty comported 
with his private inclination, in nominating 
General Knox to the office which had been 
conferred on him under the former govern- 
ment. 



T^ini MM) MONTGOMERY. 



IIi.< Birth. — Enters the Army. — Resigns his Commission 
in the British Army, and emigrates to America. — Settles 
in New York. — Enters the American Service and ap- 
pointed a Brigadier General. — Captures St. Johns and 
Montreal. — Marches to attack Quebec. — Summons the 
Garrison to Surrender . — Storms the City. — His Death 
irhile leading his Troops to the Attack. — All hopes of 
Success abandoned after this Melancholy Result. — Pa- 
rallel bettrcen the character, conduct and destiny of 
General Montgomery arid General Wolfe. — His re- 
markable Military Talents. — His disinterested Ser- 
vices in the American Cause.— His noble traits of Cha- 
nicti r. 

(iiAKKAL ^Montgomery was born in the 
north of Irolatui, in the year 1738. He was 
liberally endowed with fine natural powers 
of mind, which were cultivated and improved 
by education. In accordance with the incli- 
nations of his genius, he entered the British 
army early in life, and fought under the 



198 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

lamented Wolfe, at the siege of Quebec, in 
1759. He distinguished himself for his da- 
ring and intrepidity on this occasion, and, in 
after years, he returned to the same spot, to 
pour out his own life-blood, on the very soil 
where his leader had perished. 

After his return to England, Montgomery 
continued in the service until 1772, when he 
voluntarily quitted his regiment, though in 
a fair way to preferment. During his resi- 
dence in America, he had become warmly 
attached to it; and, impressed with the con- 
viction that she must soon become indepen- 
dent of the mother country, he resolved to 
transfer his allegiance to the other side of the 
Atlantic. On his arrival in this country, he 
purchased an estate in New York, about one 
hundred miles from the city, and soon after 
married a daughter of Judge Livingston. 
The outbreak of hostilities found him pre- 
pared to enlist in the cause of freedom. 
Though surrounded by every thing that 
could render home happy and agreeable, he 
was ready to sacrifice the felicities which he 
liad but just begun to taste, in order that he 
might assist in defending the liberties of his 



& 



niCHARU momljomery. 199 

lulopted country. His last declaration to his 
amiable wile — •* You shall )icrer blush for 
ynur Mo)ifg;onicry !'^ — came from a heart 
beating higii with the emotions of the sincere 
and devoted patriot. And the noble, true- 
hearted woman, whose fate was linked with 
his, was worthy of siicli a husband. In 
alter years, it was her pride and her joy, to 
refer to the brilliant achievements of ^^ her 
gallant soldier^ 

On the 22d of June, 1775, Montgomery 
was appointed one of the brigadier generals 
in the continental service, and, soon after, 
tiie connnand of the northern army was as- 
signed to (General Schuyler and himself. 

'" Wiiiie the Britisli army was cooped up 
in Hoston,"' says Allen's Revolution, •' with- 
out the power of much annoyance to the 
surrounding country, the Congress conceived 
llie design of sending a force into Canada, 
tor the purpose of putting a stop to the pre- 
parations which it was known that General 
Carleton, the governor of that province, was 
making, for aiding his majesty's forces on 
this side of the lakes. For this purpose, 
(iencrals Schuyler and ^Montgomery, with 



200 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

two regiments of New York militia, and a 
body of New England men, amounting in 
the whole to about two thousand men, were 
ordered to move towards Ticonderoga, which 
had remained in possession of the Americans, 
since the expedition of Colonels Arnold and 
Allen. General Schuyler being detained at 
Albany, Montgomery proceeded alone to 
Crown Point, where he received intelligence 
that several armed vessels, Avhich lay at the 
fort of St. John's, were preparing to enter 
Lake Champlain, for the purpose of impe- 
ding the passage of his troops. This deter- 
mined him, though not more than half his 
troops had arrived, to cross over to the Isle 
aux Noix, at the entrance of the Sorel, and 
thus blockade the vessels which lay in that 
river. 

' ' He had scarcely succeeded in this design, 
before he was joined by General Schuyler ; 
and it was determined, after publishing a de- 
claration to the Canadians, setting forth their 
friendly intentions towards them, to proceed 
immediately against the fort of St. John's. 
With this view, they proceeded, v/ith their 
batteaux, for a few miles down the Sorel, 



RICHARD MONTGOrJERY. 201 

and landed on a swampy ground, through 
which, with great difficuhy, they marched 
to within two miles of the fort. Here they 
were suddenly attacked by a party of In- 
dians, which, after a smart skirmish, they 
dispersed, with a trilling loss, and continued 
their march ; but upon coming within A'iew 
of the fort, on seeing its strength, (jJcneral 
Schuyler, whose force did not amount to a 
thousand men, thought it prudent to return 
to the Isle aux Noix, without attempting its 
reduction. The general, being then obliged 
to return to Albany, to settle a treaty with 
the Indians, left the command solely to 
^lontgomery : and never was there a general 
better qualified for tiic duties which now 
devolved upon him. It was absolutely ne- 
cessary, before he could go against Montreal, 
that the fort of St. John's should be reduced. 
It was w«>ll provided, and strongly gar- 
risoned. 

"The supply of amnnuiition with which 
General Montgomery was provided, was 
much too small to render an immediate siege 
of St. John's prudent ; and he would have 
been compelled to remain inactive, until too 



202 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

late ill the season to effect his object, but for 
the information of some Canadians, that the 
httle fortress of Chamblee, which was bnt 
feebly garrisoned, contained a good store of 
that article. He accordingly made himself 
master of that place, and to his great satis- 
faction, found one hundred and twenty bar- 
rels of powder, besides a large quantity of 
other military stores and provisions. The 
expedition against this fortress was conduct- 
ed by Majors Brown and Livingston. They 
found here the standard of the seventh regi- 
ment, which was immediately sent to the 
Congress. 

" General Montgomery, being thus enabled 
to carry on the siege of St. John's, proceeded 
to erect his works, and to prepare for a gene- 
ral assault. General Carleton, in the mean 
time, hearing of the situation of St. John's, 
prepared to raise a force for its relief He 
had posted Colonel McLean, with a regiment 
of Scotch emigrants, at the mouth of the 
Sorei ; and having raised about a thousand 
men at Montreal, he attempted to cross at 
Longueil, for the purpose of forming a junc- 
tion, and marching to the relief of St, John's. 



RICHARD MONTGOMKRY. 203 

I^ut Colonel AVard, who was stationed at 
Longueil, with three hundred Green Moun- 
tain Hoys, and a small piece of artillery, 
kept up so warm a lire upon their boats, that 
the general was glad to return to Montreal. 
AN hen the news of this repulse reached Mont- 
gomery, he sent a flag to Major Preston, who 
commanded the besieged fortress, summon- 
ing him to surrender, as all hope of relief 
was cut olf by Carleton's repulse, and a fur- 
ther resistance could only lead to an useless 
waste of lives. Major Preston solicited a 
few days to consider the proposal, being still 
impressed with the hope that G'eneral Carle- 
ton might be able to come to his assistance ; 
but, upon his request being refused, he ac- 
c»"pted the honorable terms of capitulation 
which General Montgomery oilered to him, 
and surrendered his garrison prisoners of 
war. The British ollicers spoke highly of 
the polite regard and attention shown to them 
by ^lontgomery, who jH*rmitted them to 
wear their swords, and to take off all their 
baggage and ctfecls. The tort surrendered 
on the 3d of November." 

On the fall of Fort St. John, General Mont- 



204 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

gomery advanced to Montreal, which was in 
no condition to oppose him. General Carle- 
ton, sensible of his inability to defend it, 
abandoned the town to its fate, and embark- 
ed his men in several vessels, with the in- 
tention of escaping down the river to Q,aebec. 
General Montgomery entered Montreal on 
the 12th of November, and a body of provin- 
cials, under Colonel Eaton, took post at the 
mouth of the Sorel, and by means of an arm- 
ed vessel and floating batteries, commanded 
the navigation of the St. Lawrence. The 
British force which had retreated, consisting 
of about one hundred and twenty soldiers, 
with several officers, under General Prescott, 
and accompanied by General Carleton, find- 
ing it impracticable to force a passage, sur- 
rendered by capitulation. The vessels con- 
tained a seasonable supply of provisions, 
arms, and ammunition, of which the Ameri- 
can forces stood greatly in need. About mid- 
night of the day before the capitulation, Ge- 
neral Carleton made his escape to Quebec, in 
a small canoe with muffled oars. 

" Many circumstances," continues Allen's 
account of the campaign, " combined to ren- 



RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 205 

der the situation of General Montgomery, 
though a conqueror, extremely unpleasant. 
The season was far advanced, and the se- 
verities of the climate induced many of his 
men to desert ; the time for which many oth- 
ers were enhsted was about to expire ; and 
few were willing to encounter the hardships 
of a long march through the deep snows of 
December. Nothing but personal attach- 
ment to the noble character of their comman- 
der could have kept a single regiment to- 
gether. 

''After new clothing all his men at Montreal, 
and rendering them in other respects as com- 
fortable as the magazines there would admit 
of, and having taken the necessary mea- 
sures to ensure a supply of provisions on the 
march, the general pushed on through every 
difficulty, and joined Colonel Arnold, who 
had marched through tlie wilderness and ar- 
rived before Quebec a short time previous, 
on the ist of December. His appearance 
was a source of great joy to the colonel's 
troops, as he had not forgotten to bring with 
him a store of such supplies as he knew them 
to want. 



206 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

'' Montgomery lost no time after his arri- 
val, in preparing for an immediate attack. 
The whole of his force did not amount to 
more than the troops of the garrison : but he 
attempted, by assuming an appearance of 
greater strength, to weaken the confidence 
of the latter, and thereby accomplish his ob- 
ject without bloodshed. For this purpose, 
on the 5th of December, he addressed a letter 
to the governor, in which he urged him, by 
every argument calculated to produce an ef- 
fect upon his humanity or his fears, to spare 
his garrison the dreadful consequences of a 
storm, by an immediate surrender. General 
Carleton, however, was too old a soldier to 
be deceived by appearances ; he knew the 
difficulties under which Montgomery labored, 
and was convinced that if his garrison could 
hold out for a few days, the climate would 
compel the provincials to abandon the siege. 
Montgomery's messenger was fired at, and 
all communication forbidden. 

"In this situation, General Montgomery 
commenced a bombardment from five small 
mortars, which he kept up for several days, 
with the hope of throwing the garrison into 



RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 207 

confusion. But it seemed to produce no ef- 
fect ; and a battery of six guns was next 
opened upon them, at the distance of scA^en 
hundred yards, Avith no better effect. The 
f^'arrison remained insensible to any impress- 
ions of alarm. 

'' General Montgomery now found himself 
under circumstances much more delicate and 
embarrassing than those which had, sixteen 
years before, environed the hero, Wolfe, at 
the same spot. Several feet of snow covered 
the ground: his troops had undergone every 
hardship that it was possible to suffer, and it 
seemed now almost impossible for human 
nature to endure more. He had arrived be- 
fore Quebec a conqueror; his fame had 
reached his countrymen, and his commander 
at Tambridge, and they would expect a con- 
tinuance of success." * * * * "While 
these feelings and recollections were alter- 
nately elevating and depressing his noble 
spirit, he made a desperate resolution to at- 
tempt the enemy's works by escalade. And 
such was the skill with which his plan had 
been formed, that no doubt can remain, that 
he would ultimately have succeeded, had 



208 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

not his whole scheme been communicated to 
the garrison by some scoundrel who deserted 
him at this critical moment. 

"Montgomery soon perceived that the 
garrison were prepared ; and it became ne- 
cessary to change his whole plan of opera- 
tions. Having disposed his army into four 
divisions, two of which he intended should 
make feigned attacks, while Arnold and 
himself should be engaged in real attacks 
upon the opposite sides, before daylight on 
the 31st of December, in a thick fall of snow, 
Montgomery advanced at the head of the 
New Yorkers. Here again his fate resem- 
bled Wolfe's, for before he could reach the 
place from whence he intended to commence 
the attack, the signal had been given through 
mistake, and the whole garrison were alarm- 
ed. It was too late now, to make another 
change in the plan of attack, and Montgo- 
mery pushed on. He was compelled to ad- 
vance through a narrow path, between a 
precipice and overhanging rocks ; he had 
seized, and passed the first barrier, and was 
boldly advancing to the second, with a few 
of his bravest companions, when a discharge 



IllLHAIll) M0NTG03IEKV. 2U1) 

of grape shot Irom llic cannon that were 
placed there, stopped tlie progress of this 
brave and exccHent ollicer, and destroyed 
the hopes of the enterprise. Upon the fall 
of tlie general, the officer upon whom the 
connnand of his party devolved, retired with- 
out making any attempt to pursue the advan- 
tages already gained. Some of his bravest 
officers had shared the glorious destiny of 
Montgomery, or Quebec must have fallen, 
before the united efforts of this party, and 
that under Arnold." 

The following description of the advance 
of the division under Arnold, is given in 
Marshall's Life of Washington: ''Arnold 
advanced with the utmost intrepidity, against 
the battery in the other quarters of the city. 
The alarm was immediately given, and the 
fire on his flank commenced, which, how- 
ever, did not prove very destructive. As he 
approached the barrier, he received a musket 
hall in the leir. whic'h shattered the bone, and 
was carried oiX the field to the hospital. 
M^^l,^an rushed forward to the battery, at the 
h»\ul of his companv. and received from one 
of the pieces, almost at its mouth, a discharge 
11 



210 RICHARD MONTGOMERY, 

of grape shot, which killed only one man. 
A few rifles were immediately fired into the 
embrasures, by which a British soldier was 
wounded in the head, and the barricade 
being instantly mounted, with the aid of lad- 
ders, brought by his men on their shoulders, 
the battery was deserted, without discharging 
the other gun. The captain of the guard; 
with the greater number of his men, fell into 
the hands of the Americans, and the others 
made their escape. Morgan formed the 
troops, consisting of his own company, and 
a few bold individuals who had pressed for- 
ward from other parts of the division, in the 
streets within the barrier, and took into cus- 
tody several English and Canadian burgh- 
ers ; but his situation soon became extremely 
critical. He was not followed by the main 
body of the division; he had no guide, and 
was, himself, totally ignorant of the situation 
of the town. It was yet dark, and he had 
not the slightest knowledge of the course to 
be pursued, or of the defences to be encoun- 
tered. Thus circumstanced, it was thought 
unadvisable to advance furtiier. 

" As the glow, produced by immense exer- 



KICHARD MONTGOMERY. 211 

lion, gave way to the cold, which was so 
intense that they were covered with icicles, 
and as the ardor, excited by action, subsided, 
when they were no longer engaged, even 
tills daring party became less animated. 
While waiting in total ignorance of the 
fate of the residue of the division, the dark- 
ness of the night, the fury of the storm, the 
scattering fire still kept up by the enemy, 
principally in their rear, the paucity of their 
numbers, and the uncertainty concerning 
their fnture operations, visibly affected them. 
It was, after some deliberation, determined 
to maintain their ground, while Morgan 
should return to the barrier they had passed, 
for the purpose of bringing up the troops who 
were supposed to be still on the other side of 
it. They were soon joined by Lieutenant 
Colonel (jlreene, and Majors Bigelow and 
Meiggs, with several fragments of compa- 
nies, so as to constitute, altogether, about 
two hundred men. 

*' As the light of day began to appear, this 
small but gallant party was again formed, 
with Morgan's company in front; and with 
one voice, they loudly called on him to lead 



212 - RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

them against the second barrier, which was 
now known to be less than forty paces from 
them, though concealed by an angle of the 
street, from their immediate view. Seizing 
the few ladders brought with them, they 
again rushed on to the charge, and on turn- 
ing the angle, were hailed by Captain Ander- 
son, who was just issuing with a body of 
troops, through the gate of the barricade, for 
the purpose of attacking the Americans, 
whom he had expected to find dispersed, and 
probably plundering the town. 

"Morgan, who was in the front, answered 
his challenge by a ball through his head, 
and, as he fell, he was drawn within the bar- 
ricade, and the gate closed upon the assail- 
ants, who received, at the same instant, a 
tremenduous fire from the windows over- 
looking the barrier, and from the port 
holes through it. Ladders were immedi- 
ately placed against the barricade, and for 
some time a fierce contest was maintained, 
which, on the part of the assailants, was also 
a bloody one. A few of the bolder, among 
the front files, ascended the ladders under 
this deadly fire, and saw, on the other side 



HICHARD MONTGOMERY. 213 

of the barricade, double ranks of soldiers, 
^vlio, with their muskets planted on the 
ground, presented hedges of bayonets to re- 
ceive them, if they should attempt to leap to 
tlic eartli. i:xposed thus, in a narrow street 
to a most galling fu-e, many of the assailants 
threw themselves into the store-houses on 
each side, which afforded them a shelter 
^>oth tVom the storm and from the enemy' 
and through the windows of which they 
ivf'pt up an irregular, and not very effective 
lir(\ 

''One circumstance, which greatly con- 
tfibuted to the irresolution now displaying 
Itself, was, that scarcely more than one ui ten 
of their firearms could be used. Notwith- 
standing tlie precaution of tyin? handker- 
chiefs aroun.I the locks, the viofence of the 
storm had tntally uii/itted them for service. 
Morgan soon lound himself at the barrier, 
with only a few otlicers and a small number 
ot soldiers. Vet he could not prevail on him- 
sell to reliiKiuish the enterprise. With a 
voice louder than the tempest, he called on 
those who were sheltered in the houses, to 



214 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

come forth and scale the barrier; but he 
called in vain. Neither exhortations nor re- 
proaches could draw them in sufficient num- 
bers to the point of attack. 

" Being at length compelled to relinquish 
all hope of success, he ordered the few brave 
men who still adhered to him, to save them- 
selves in the houses, while he, accompa,nied 
by only Lieutenant Heth, returned towards 
the first barrier, in order to concert with the 
field officers some plan for drawing off the 
troops. He soon met Majors Bigelow and 
Meiggs, to whom he proposed an immediate 
retreat, by the same route along which they 
had marched to the attack. This proposi- 
tion was assented to, and Lieutenant Heth 
was despatched to draw the troops from their 
present situation." 

"In Montgomery, the Americans lost one 
of the bravest and most accomplished gene- 
rals that ever led an army to the field. But 
he was not more illustrious for his skill and 
courage as an officer, than he was estimable 
for his private virtues. He possessed a mind 
adorned with every accomplishment, and a 



RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 215 

porson in which every manly grace slione 
with conspicuous histre. His was 

' A combination, and a form indeed, 
Where every god did seem to set hi3 seal. 
To give llio world nasurance of a mnn.^ 

" General Montgomery had borne the coTn- 
mission of a colonel in the war of 1759, and 
was figliting by the side of Wolfe, when 
that Spartan hero fell. His bravery and 
his worth were then acknowledged by the 
British army, and they were proud to regard 
hiiu as a friend and brother; but, notwith- 
standing the many professions of attachment 
and esteem for his character, his body would 
liave been thrown with the heap of slain, un- 
roflined and unmarked, into the same indis- 
criminate pit, but tor the lieutenant governor, 
wlio, urged by the solicitations of the lady 
whom he afterwards married, reluctantly 
procured a coffin of the roughest sort, and 
thus, apart iVom the rest, buried liis former 
friend and conii»anion in arms. From this 
spot, after moulclcriug in the grave for more 
than Inrty-lwo years, the bones of tliis gallant 
soldier were removed by his fellow citizens 
otW(!W Vork, and (loi»f)sited in a tomb more 
worthy of him. 



216 RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

''The resemblance in the character, con- 
duct and destiny of Wolfe and Montgomery, 
is too striking to be passed over without a 
remark. Montgomery had been in some 
measure the pupil of Wolfe. In his career of 
glory, he saw an example worthy of imita- 
tion. We have seen the difficulties under 
which Wolfe had to struggle, and we have 
seen the noble daring which led him, perhaps 
against the suggestions of prudence, to at- 
tempt to surmount them. He lived, as he 
expressed himself, but to hght Montcalm on 
equal ground. This accomplished, he had 
consummated the only object of his existence, 
and died ' content.' Wolfe was fighting for 
his king, under the orders of his ministry, 
and here lies the striking difference in the 
lives and fortunes of these heroes. 

"Montgomery entered on the expedition 
with the name of a rebel. He ventured his 
fame, his character, his life, in the service of 
revolted colonies, but it was to secure to these 
colonies the enjoyment of liberty, under the 
rights of the constitution. For this he sacri- 
ficed the tender endearments of conjugal fe- 
licity; and, at the head of an undisciplined 



KI( HARD MONTGOMERY. 217 

body of men, placed himself in opposition to 
a veteran general. The skill which he dis- 
played, was equal to the fortitude which such 
an enterprise demanded. He had not only 
to contend against a formidable enemy, but 
against the severities of a climate to which 
none of his men were accustomed. His ha- 
ving, in one night, constructed a battery of 
ire, will at once sliow his military skill and 
industry, and the intense coldness of the cli- 
mate. With a discontented, starving and 
mutinous army, he pushed boldly forward 
ill search of that victory which had cheered 
the last hours of Wolfe." 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 



His Birth-place. — His earhj indications of Energy and 
Courage. — Remarkable adventure u-ith a Wolf. — En- 
gages in the French War. — His numerous daring E.C' 
flnita. — Taken Prisoner by the Indians. — Attempt to 
Roast him alive. — Taken to Montreal and exchanged, — 
Early resistance of the aggressions o^ England. — At 
the first breaking out of hostilities, enters the America?! 
Army at Cambridge. — His gallant conduct at the battle 
of Bunker Hill, and his many valuable services in the 
American cau<ie. — Retires to his farm and spends his 
days with, his Family. — His death. — An incident illus- 
trating his humane character. 

Israel Putnam, who, tlirougli regular pro- 
motion, became the senior major general in 
the army of the T^nited States, and next in 
rank to Washington, was born at Salem, in 
tlio province, now state of Massachusetts, on 
the 7th day of January, 1718. When a boy, 
li<^ was distinguislied for his courage, enter- 



220 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

prise, and activity. Although not quarrel- 
some in his disposition, he was fearless and 
independent, and not slow to resent an insult. 
The first time he went to Boston, he was 
jeered at for his rusticity, by a boy of twice 
his size and age. After bearing his taunts, 
until his patience was exhausted, he chal- 
lenged, engaged, and vanquished his antago- 
nist, to the great diversion of a crowd of 
spectators. 

In the year 1739, he was married, and re- 
moved from Salem to Pomfret, an inland fer- 
tile town in Connecticut, forty miles east of 
Hartford. Here he applied himself, with his 
usual industry and perseverance, to the cul- 
tivation of a large tract of land which he had 
purchased. While diligently engaged in the 
pursuits of agriculture, he had to encounter, 
in his turn, all the calamities which are inci- 
dent to the settlement of a new country. 
Among other annoyances which seriously dis- 
turbed him, was the desolation of his sheep- 
fold by wolves. In one night, he had seven- 
ty-five sheep and goats killed, and many 
lambs and kids wounded, by a ferocious she- 
wolf, which had for a long time been prowl- 



ISRAEL PLTNAM. 221 

ing around the ooinilry, llic terror and 
scourge of the neighborhood in which Put- 
nam hved. 

'• Tliis woU' at length became such an in- 
tolerable nuisance, that Putnam entered into 
a combination with five of his neidibors to 
hunt alternately, until they could destroy 
her. Two, by rotation, were to be constant- 
ly in pursuit. It was known, that, having 
lost the toes from one foot by a steel trap, 
she made one track shorter than the other. 
By this vestige, the pursuers recognized, in a 
light snow, the route of this pernicious ani- 
mal. Having followed her to Connecticut 
river, and found she had turned back, in a 
direct course toward Pomfret, they immedi- 
ately returned, and by ten o'clock the next 
morning, the blood-hounds had driven her in- 
to a den, about three miles distant from the 
house of Mr. Putnam. The people soon col- 
lected, with dogs, guns, straw, fire, and sul- 
phur, to attack the common enemy. With 
this apparatus, several unsuccessful eflbrts 
were made to force her from the den. The 
hounds came back badly wounded, and re- 
fused to return. The smoke of blazim? straw 



222 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

had no effect, nor did the fumes of burnt 
brimstone, with which the cavern was filled, 
compel her to quit the retirement. Wearied 
with such fruitless attempts, which had 
brought the time to ten o'clock at night, Mr. 
Putnam tried once more to make his dog en- 
ter, but in vain. He proposed to his negro 
man to go down into the cavern, and shoot 
the wolf; the negro declined the hazardous 
service. Then it was that their master, angry 
at the disappointment, and declaring that he 
was ashamed to have a coward in his fami- 
ly, resolved himself to destroy the ferocious 
beast, lest she should escape through some 
unknown fissure of the rock. His neighbors 
strongly remonstrated against the perilous 
enterprise ; but he, knowing that wild ani- 
mals were intimidated by fire, and, having 
provided several strips of birch bark, the only 
combustible material which he could ob- 
tain, that would afford light in this deep and 
darksome cave, prepared for his descent. 
Having, accordingly, divested himself of his 
coat and waistcoat, and having a long rope 
fastened round his legs, by which he might 
^e pulled back, at a concerted signal, he en- 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 223 

tered. head Ibremost, with the blazing torch 
in his hand. 

-' Tlic aperture oftlie den, on the east side 
of a very high ledge of rocks, is about two 
feet square ; thence it descends obliquely fif- 
teen feet : then running horizontally about 
ten more, it ascends gradually sixteen feet 
toward its termination. The sides of this 
subterraneous cavity are composed of smooth 
and solid rocks, which seem to have been 
divided from each other by some former 
earthquake. The top and bottom are also 
of stone, and the entrance, in winter, being 
covered with ice, is exceedingly slippery. It 
is in no place high enough for a man to raise 
himself upright, nor in any part more than 
three feet in width. 

" Having groped his passage to the hori- 
zontal part of the den, the most terrifying 
darkness appeared in front of the dim circle 
of light afforded by his torch. It was silent 
as the house of death. None but monsters 
of the desert had ever before explored this 
solitary mansion of horror. He, cautiously 
proceeding onward, came to the ascent, 
wiiioli he slowlv mounted on his hands and 



224 I8KAEL PUTNAM. 

knees, until he discovered the glaring eye- 
balls of the wolf, who was sitting at the ex- 
tremity of the cavern. Startled at the sight 
of fire, she gnashed her teeth, and gave a 
sullen growl. As soon as he had made the 
necessary discovery, he kicked the rope, as 
a signal for drawing him out. The people 
at the mouth of the den, who had listened 
with painful anxiety, hearing the growling 
of the wolf, and supposing their friend to be 
in the most imminent danger, drew him forth 
with such celerity, that his shirt was stripped 
over his head, and his skin severely lace- 
rated. After he had adjusted his clothes, 
and loaded his gun with nine buckshot, 
holding a torch in one hand and the musket 
in the other, he descended the second time. 
When he drew nearer than before, the wolf, 
assuming a still more fierce and terrible ap- 
pearance, howling, rolling her eyes, snapping 
her teeth, and dropping her head between 
her legs, was evidently in the attitude, and 
on the point of springing at him. At this 
critical instant, he levelled and fired at her 
head. Stunned with the shock, and suffoca- 
ted with the smoke, he immediately fouud 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 225 

himself drawn out of tlic cave. But having 
refreshed himself, and permitted the smoke 
to dissipate, he went down the third time. 
Once more he came within sight of the wolf, 
who appearing very passive, he applied the 
torch to her nose : and perceiving her dead, 
he took hold of her ears, and tlien kicking 
the rope, still tied round his legs, the people 
above, with no small exultation, dragged 
them both out together.'' 

On the breaking out of the French and 
Indian war, in 1755, Putnam was appointed 
to the conmiand of a company among the 
first troops levied in Connecticut. The regi- 
ment to which he was attached, joined the 
army at the commencement of the campaign, 
not far distant from Crown Point. Soon 
after his arrival in camp, he became inti- 
mately acquainted with the famous partizan 
Captain, afterwards Major, Rogers, with 
wliom he had many daring adventures in 
traversing the wilderness, reconnoitering the 
enemy's posts, and surprising stragglers from 
their lines. On one occasion, Rogers and 
Putnam were detached, with a party of ran- 
gers, to obtain accurate information in regard 
15 



226 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

to the position and state of the works at 
Crown Point. As it was impossible for their 
whole force to proceed within the vicinity of 
the fort, on account of the swarms of hostile 
Indians which infested the woods, the two 
leaders cautiously advanced alone, in the 
night, and, early in the morning, approached 
so close as to be able to make all necessary 
discoveries. Just as they were on the point 
of retiring, Captain Rogers, being at a little 
distance from Putnam, unexpectedly met a 
stout Frenchman, who instantly seized his 
fusee Avith one hand, and with the other 
attempted to stab him, at the same time 
calling" to the guard for assistance. Per- 
ceiving the imminent danger of his friend, 
and that no time was to be lost, or further 
alarm given, Putnam ran rapidly to the com- 
batants, while still struggling with each 
other, and with the butt end of his piece 
laid the Frenchman dead at his feet. The 
two officers at once joined their party, and 
returned without loss to the encampment. 

The time of enlistment of the colonial 
troops expired with the campaign, but Put- 
nam was re-appointed, and again took the 



ISRAFL PUTNAM. 227 

field in 1756. While stationed in the neigh- 
borhood ot' Ticonderoga, he was directed to 
roconnoitcr the enemy's camp at the Ovens, 
near that fort. Taking Lieutenant Dnrkee 
with him, as his companion, he proceeded 
to execute his orders, in which he came very- 
near losing his own life, and taking that of 
his friend. It was customary for the French 
and Indians, contrary to the practice of the 
Ent^lish and Provincials, to place their fires 
in the centre of their camp, lodge their men 
circularly at a distance, and post their senti- 
nels in the surrounding darkness. Putnam 
and his lieutenant approached the camp, 
and, snpposing the sentries were within the 
circle of fires, crept along upon their hands 
and knees, with great caution, until they 
suddenly found themselves in the midst of 
the enemy. They were discovered by the 
sentinels, who fired, and wounded Durkee 
in the thigh. Both ofiicers turned and ran. 
The night was exceedingly dark, and Put- 
nam, being foremost, soon plunged into a 
clay-pit. The lieutenant, almost at the same 
instant, came tumbling upon his friend, who, 
believing the intruder to be one of the ene- 



228 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

my, lifted his tomahawk to give him a deadly 
blow, when his arm was arrested by the 
sound of Durkee's voice, inquiring whether 
he was hurt. Ttiey then sprang from the 
pit, and made good their retreat, amid a 
shower of random shot, to the neighboring 
ledges, where they spent the remainder of 
the night by a large log. Before lying down, 
Putnam said he had a little rum in his can- 
teen, which could never be more acceptable ; 
but, on examination, he found that the enemy 
had pierced the vessel with their balls, and 
that there was not a drop of liquor left. 
The next day he discovered fourteen bullet 
holes in his blanket. 

In the summer of 1756, a large body of the 
enemy having attacked and plundered a pro- 
vision train, between Fort Edward and the 
south end of Lake George, General Webb 
ordered Captains Putnam and Rogers, to 
take one hundred volunteers in boats, with 
two wall pieces, and two blunderbusses, and 
proceed down to Lake George, for the pur- 
pose of harrassing, or intercepting them on 
their retreat. These orders were executed 
with so much promptitude that the party ar- 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 229 

rived at the appointed spot half an hour be- 
fore the hostile boats came in sight. 

As soon as tliey entered the narrows, the 
volunteers poured into them volley after vol- 
ley, killed many of the oarsmen, sunk a num- 
ber of the batteaux, and could have destroyed 
the remainder, if a favorable Avind had not 
carried them into the bay, out of the range 
of musket shot. On their return, the force 
under Putnam and Rogers met a detach- 
ment sent out to intercept them, consisting 
of three hundred men. Both parties were in 
boats. That of the enemy was so much the 
stronger that they felt confident of success. 
They were allowed to approach within pistol 
shot, when such a terrible raking fire was 
opened upon them from the wall pieces and 
blunderbusses, that they were soon com- 
pletely routed, and driven back to Ticonde- 
roga. The loss of the French and Indians 
was very great; in one canoe, fifteen out of 
twenty Indians were killed. Putnam and 
Rogers had but one man killed and two 
wounded. 

Soon after this affair, Putnam was sent to 
seize a prisoner, in order to procure intelli- 



230 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

geiice. He was accompanied by five men, 
whom he concealed near the road leading 
from Ticonderoga to the Ovens. Contrary 
to his express orders, some of the party were 
constantly exposing their persons. On his 
reprimanding them, they attributed his ex- 
treme caution to fear, but they immediately 
had an opportunity of testing their courage 
with his. They had only lain a short time 
in the grass, when a Frenchman and Indian 
passed along the road, the latter being con- 
siderably in advance. Putnam instantly 
sprang up and started in pursuit, ordering 
his men to follow him. After running about 
thirty rods, he seized the Frenchman by the 
shoulders and forced him to surrender. On 
turning round however, and discovering that 
his opponent was alone, and the Indian 
within hailing distance, the prisoner began 
to make an obstinate attempt to free himself 
Putnam, finding that his men had all betray- 
ed him, let go his hold, stepped back and 
snapped his piece at the Frenchman's breast, 
but it unfortunately missed fire. He then 
turned and ran, with his late prisoner close 
at his heels. The presence of his party, who 



ISRAEL rUTNAM. 231 

)iow began to show tliemsclves. prevented 
his being overtaken. He then dismissed his 
men in disgrace, and, not long after, accom- 
pHshed the object. 

In the same year, Putnam was accident- 
ally with a boat and flv^e men, on the eastern 
side of the Hudson river, near the spot where 
Fort Miller stood, and in the immediate vi- 
cinity of the falls, when he was snddenly in- 
formed, by a signal made by some of his 
soldiers on the opposite bank, that a large 
body of Indians were advancing to surround 
him. The danger was imminent, and there 
was not a moment to lose. He had three al- 
ternatives from which to choose ; to remain, 
fight, and be sacrificed ; to cross to the op- 
l)osito shore, in full range of the enemy's 
lire ; or to sail down the water-falls, with al- 
most a certainty of being overwhelmed,- as 
the river was high and full of rocks. Put- 
nam did not hesitate, but jumped into the 
boat at the fortunate moment, as one of his 
men was taken by the Indians, who arrived 
m time to discharge their guns at the boat 
before he could get out of their reach. 

''No sooner had lie escaped this danger, 



232 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

through the rapidity of the current, than 
death presented itself under a more terrific 
form. Rocks, whose points projected above 
the surface of the water ; large masses of tim- 
ber that nearly closed the passage ; absorb- 
ing gulfs, and rapid descents for a quarter 
of a mile, left him no hope of escape but by 
a miracle. Putnam placed himself at the 
helm, and directed the boat with the utmost 
tranquility. His companions saw him with 
admiration, terror, and astonishment, avoid, 
with the utmost address, the rocks and 
threatening gulfs which they every instant 
expected to destroy him. He disappeared, 
rose again, and, directing his course through 
the only passage which he could possibly 
make, he at length gained the even surface 
of the river at the bottom of this dreadful 
cascade." The Indians were filled with 
amazement and awe ; they considered Put- 
nam as invulnerable, and thought that they 
would ofiend the Great Spirit by attempting 
the life of a man evidently under his pro- 
tection. 

In 1757 Putnam was promoted to the 
rank of major, and, in the winter of that 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 233 

year, ''when (Joloiicl Haviland was com- 
nuiiidaiit of Fort Edward, the barracks ad- 
joining to the northwest bastion took fire. 
They extended within twelve feet of the 
inaiJ:azinc. which contained three hundred 
l)arrels of ])owdcr. On its first discovery^ 
the hre raged with great violence. The com- 
mandant endeavored, in vain, by discharg- 
ing some pieces of heavy artillery against the 
supporters of this flight of barracks, to level 
tliem with the ground. Putnam arrived 
from the island where he was stationed, at 
the moment when the blaze approached that 
end which was contiguous to the magazine. 
Instantly, a vigorous attempt was made to 
extinguish the conllagration. A way was 
opened by a postern gate to the river, and 
the soldiers were employed in bringing wa- 
ter, which lie, having mounted on a ladder to 
the caves of the building, received and threw 
upon the llame. It continued, notwithstand- 
ing their utmost efforts, to gain upon them. 
He stood, enveloped in smoke, so near the 
sheet of lire that a pair of thick blanket- 
mittens were burnt entirely ofl' his hands, 
when he was supplied with another pair dip- 



234 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

ped in water. Colonel Haviland, fearing 
that he would perish in the flames, called to 
him to come down. But he entreated that 
he might be suffered to remain, since destruc- 
tion must inevitably ensue if their exertions 
should be remitted. The gallant command- 
ant, not less astonished than charmed at the 
boldness of his conduct, forbade any more 
effects to be carried out of the fort, animated 
the men to redoubled diligence, and exclaim- 
ed : 'If we must be blown up, we will all 
go together.' At last, when the barracks 
were seen to be trembling, Putnam descend- 
ed, placed himself at the interval, and con- 
tinued, from an incessant rotation of replen- 
ished buckets, to pour water upon the maga- 
zine. The outside planks were already con- 
sumed by the proximity of the fire, and as 
only one thickness of timber intervened, the 
trepidation now became general and extreme. 
Putnam, still undaunted, covered with a cloud 
of cinders, and scorched with the intensity 
of the heat, maintained his position until the 
fire subsided, and the danger Avas wholly 
over. He had contended, for one hour and 
a half; with that terrible element. His legs. 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 235 

his thighs, his arms, and his face were bhster- 
ed ; and when he pulled otf his second pair 
of mittens, the skin from his hands and fin- 
gers followed them. It was a month before 
he recovered. The commandant, to whom 
his merits had before endeared him, could 
not stifle the emotions of gratitude due to the 
man who had been so instrumental in pre- 
serving the magazine, the fort, and the gar- 
rison.'' 

A few days before the siege of Fort Wil- 
liam Henry, Major Putnam was sent out to 
reconnoitre the position of the enemy at Ti- 
conderoga. He discovered the advance of 
the forces destined for the reduction of die 
former post, and narrowly escaped being 
captured. ( )n his return, he informed Gene- 
ral Webb of what he had seen, and intimated 
his conviction, that the expedition was in- 
tended for the attack of Fort William Hen- 
ry ; at the same time expressing the hope 
that the enemy would be met, should they 
})rosume to land. The General thought pro- 
per to disregard Putnam's advice, and en- 
joined the strictest secrecy upon him. In a 
short time he returned to the head quarters 



236 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

of the army, accompanied by Putnam, and 
contented himself with sending Colonel Mon- 
ro, with his regiment, to re-inforce the garri- 
son. 

In the month of August, Majors Rogers 
and Putnam were sent with a detachment of 
five hundred men, to watch the motions of 
the enemy near Ticonderoga. Upon being 
discovered, they determined to return to Fort 
Edward. They commenced their march 
through the woods, in three divisions, by 
files ; Putnam being in front ; Captain D'Ell 
in the centre ; and Rogers in the rear. Just 
as Putnam was emerging from the thicket, 
into the common forest, he was attacked by 
a body of French and Indians, five hundred 
strong, under the famous partizan, Molang. 
The enemy had been lying in ambuscade, 
and their sudden appearance, together, with 
their discordant yells, took Putnam's men by 
surprise ; but, inspired by the dauntless con- 
duct of their leader, they soon rallied, and 
rushed into the conflict, full of spirit and en- 
thusiasm. As it was impossible to retreat 
across the creek in his rear, Putnam deter- 
mined to maintain his ground, and word was 



ISRAEL FUTNAM. 237 

passed for the other divisions to advance to 
his support. Capt. D'Ell at once came for- 
ward with his men, but Major Rogers con- 
tinued still in the rear. From the nature of 
the ground, the combatants mainly fought 
hand to hand, or concealed behind the bushes 
and trees. Officers and men were mingled 
promiscuously in the thickest of the light. 
Putnam had discharged his fusee several 
times, Avhen it missed fire, at the very mo- 
ment when it was pressed against the breast 
of a large and muscular savage. The war- 
rior at once sprang forward with a tremen- 
duous war-whoop, and lifting his hatchet, 
compelled him to surrender. He was imme- 
diately disarmed, and bound fast to a tree. 
Captains D'Ell and Harman, who succeeded 
to the command, were forced temporarily to 
give ground. The savages rushed impetu- 
ously forward, but met with such a warm 
reception, that they were obliged, in turn, to 
fall back a short distance beyond the spot 
where the action commenced. This left Put- 
nam exposed to the lire of both parties. The 
balls flew incessantly from either side ; ma- 
ny struck the tree, while some passed through 



238 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

the sleeves and skirts of his coat. He re- 
mained in this position more than an hour. 
In the heat of the action, a young Indian 
amused himself, by endeavoring to terrify 
Putnam, whose arms were so securely bound, 
that he could have been dispatched in an in- 
stant, without difficulty. Standing a few 
paces distant, the savage repeatedly hurled 
his tomahawk in the direction of Putnam's 
head, though careful not to hit it ; the wea- 
pon buried itself several times in the tree, 
within a hair's breadth of the apparent mark. 
The gallantry of D'EU and Harman, and 
their brave followers, finally forced the ene- 
my to retire, leaving ninety of their number 
dead on the field. 

In the retreat of the Indians, Putnam was 
unbound by the warrior who captured him, 
and whom he afterwards called master, and 
obliged to accompany them. After travelling 
some distance, he was stripped of his coat, 
vest, stockings and shoes. He was then 
loaded with as many of the packs of the 
wounded as could be piled on him, strongly 
pinioned, and his wrists firmly secured with 
a cord. In this condition, he marched many 



Ink A EI. PL'TNAIM. '^3^ 

a weary mile, until the party halted to 
breathe. Mis hands were now dreadfully 
swelled, and his feet lacerated to such a de- 
gree, that the blood dropped from them at 
every step. Exhausted from the weight of 
his burden, and maddened with pain, he 
entreated the interpreter who accompanied 
th(3ni, to implore the savages to kill him, and 
take his scalp at once. A French ofllcer 
instantly interposed, ordered him to be un- 
bound, and some of the packs taken off. 
Soon afterward, the Indian who captured 
him came up, and gave him a pair of moc- 
casins. He also expressed his deep indig- 
nation at the treatment his prisoner had re- 
ceived. He then returned to tlic care of tlie 
wounded, and Putnam was again hurried 
lorward, in company with tlie other Indians, 
about two hundred in numlier, to the place 
wliere the whole force were to encamp for 
the night. On the route, among other 
outrages committed on him, a deep wound 
was inllicted in his cheek, witli a tomahawk. 
Arrived at their destination, his tormentors 
determined to roast liim alive. For this 
])ur]iose, thev led him into a dark forest, 



240 ISRAEL PUTxNAM. 

Stripped him naked, bound him to a tree, 
and piled dry brush, with other fuel, at a 
small distance, in a circle round him. They 
accompanied their labors with the most hor- 
rid screams; and having completed them, 
the piles were set on fire. A shower of rain 
dampened the wood, but they succeeded in 
kindling it, and the blaze ran fiercely round 
the circle. Putnam soon began to feel the 
scorching heat ; but, neither the terrors of the 
scene, nor the many painful thoughts which 
crowded upon his mind, subdued his spirit ; 
and, with unshrinking fortitude and resolu- 
tion, he prepared to meet the horrid fate 
which seemed to await him. At this mo- 
ment, a French officer rushed through the 
crowd, scattered the burning brands, and 
unbound the victim. This proved to be 
Molang himself, who had been informed of 
his situation by a friendly Indian. He re- 
mained with Putnam until his master ar- 
rived, and severely reprimanded the savages 
for their cruelty and barbarity. 

The warrior by whom Putnam had been 
captured, treated him with marked kindness, 
but was very careful not to afford him an op- 



I>KAK1. riTNAM. 241 

porlunity to escape. After finishing their 
evening meal, he took the moccasins from 
Putnam's feet and tied them to his wrists. 
Then directing his prisoner to he down on 
liis back, upon the ground, lie stretched his 
arms to their full length and bound them fast 
to separate trees. His feet were fastened to 
two saplings in a similar manner. This 
done, a quantity of tall, slender poles were 
cut down, which, with some long bushes, 
were laid across his body from head to foot, 
and a number of Indians lay on each side of 
him, m order to prevent the possibility of his 
escape. 

Ill this ludicrous, though painful position, 
l*utiiam was compelled to pass the night. 
The next day he was allowed a blanket and 
moccasins, and permitted to march without 
carrying a pack, or receiving any insult. 
At night they arrived at Ticonderoga, where 
he was placed in charge of a French guard. 
The enraged savages manifested their disap- 
p«jiiitment, by their angry looks and gestures; 
but tiu'y were not sulfered to ofler farther 
violence or iiidiguiiy to him. 

VlUT liaviiig bron {'Xinninc.i by liie Mar- 



242 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

quis De Montcalm, Major Putnam was con- 
ducted to Montreal by a French officer, who 
treated him with kindness and humanity. 
At this place, he was visited by Colonel Pe- 
ter Schuyler, who, like himself, was detained 
as a prisoner. He had no sooner heard of the 
sufferings Putnam had undergone, than he 
made them the subject of indignant complaint 
to the proper authorities, and the major was 
afterwards treated according to his rank. 
The capture of Frontenac by General Brad= 
street, was followed by an exchange of pri- 
soners. Colonel Schuyler was included in 
the cartel, and by practicing a little innocent 
deception upon the French governor, he ob- 
tained the release of Putnam, who was soon 
after promoted to the rank of lieutenant co- 
lonel, and took an active part, under Gene- 
ral Amherst, in the capture of Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point. 

In 1760 General Amherst planned an ex- 
pedition against Canada, which terminated 
in the complete subjugation of the province. 
Lieutenant Colonel Putnam accompanied the 
division under tlie command of Amherst him- 
self, which, after passing up the Mohawk 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. . 243 

river, and taking its course by Lake Ontario, 
formed a conjunction with the other divi- 
sions, by falHng down the St. Lawrence. 
While on the route, two armed vessels ob- 
structed the passage and prevented an attack 
on the fort at Oswegatchie. Colonel Putnam, 
with one thousand men, in fifty bat teaux, un- 
dertook to board them. Providing himself 
with a beetle and wedges, he placed himself 
in the van, with a chosen crew, determined 
to approach tho vessels, and wedge their rud- 
ders, so that they should not be able to turn 
their broadsides on his boats. 

Tiie men in his little fleet were ordered to 
strip to their waistcoats, and, in this condi- 
tion, they advanced at the same time. The 
persons on board the vessels became alarmed 
and ran them ashore, without striking a blow 
in their defence. 

The tort itself was now the object of at- 
tack. It seemed to have been rendered in- 
accessible by a high abattis of black ash, but 
Putnam proposed a plan lor its capture, and 
otfcred his services to carry it into effect. 
The execution of the undertaking was en- 
trusted to him, and he immediately prepared 



244 • iSKAEi, PUTNAM. 

a number of boats, and surrounded them with 
fascines, which afforded a complete covering 
to his men. Each boat was then provided 
with a plank, prepared in such a manner 
that it could be used as a bridge in passing 
over the abattis. Thus equipped, the boats 
advanced in admirable order. The garrison, 
however, did not choose to await the assault, 
but capitulated. 

Colonel Putnam was highly complimented 
by General Amherst for his services on this 
occasion. He continued with the army un- 
til the close of the war ; and, after the rup- 
ture between Great Britain and Spain, in 
1762, accompanied the expedition under Lord 
Albemarle, against Havana. Putnam com- 
manded a regiment of troops from Connecti- 
cut, and arrived safely on the coast of Cuba. 
There he was unfortunately wrecked, in a 
storm, on a rift of craggy rocks. He at once 
caused a number of rafts to be constructed, 
and landed his men in safety, thus saving a 
great number of lives by his unequalled de- 
termination, and presence of mind. 

After landing his men, Putnam fortified 
his camp, and remained in that position, 



ISKAKI. Pl'TNAM. )ily 

until till' Storm abated. Aviicn he joined the 
troops before Havana. The unhealthy cH- 
niate made sad inroads in the ranks of his 
regiment, and he soon returned to his native 
land. 

The hostilities committed by the savages 
on the western frontier, in 17G4, were so 
aggravated, that an army under General 
Hradstreet, was sent against them. Putnam, 
who had been promoted to the rank of Colo- 
nel, accompanied liim with his regiment. 
Previous to their arrival at Detroit, which 
the Indians had invested, Captain D'Ell, the 
faitiilul friend and fellow soldier of Colonel 
Putnam, was killed in a desperate sally. 
The presence of General Hradstreet, with a 
large force, ovx-rawed the savage tribes, and 
they afterwards concluded a treaty, which 
terminated the war in America. Colonel 
Putnam returned home, and, having laid 
aside his uniform, again applied himself to 
tli«' cultivation of his tarm. He had been al- 
most r(inst.'nitly engaeed in military opera- 
tions tor the last ten years, had endured as 
many hardships, encountered as many dan- 
ger^ and acquired as many laurels, as any 



246 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

Other officer of his rank ; and he was anx- 
ious to enjoy the quiet and repose of domes- 
tic Hfe. After his return home, he was re- 
peatedly chosen to fill different offices by his 
fellow townsmen, and often represented them 
in the general assembly. In 1765, while he 
was a member of that body, the odious stamp 
act was passed, and received the royal as- 
sent. Colonel Putnam was soon after depu- 
ted, with two other gentlemen, to wait on 
Mr. Fitch, the governor of Connecticut, in 
relation to the stamped paper which was 
shortly expected to arrive. After some con- 
versation, the governor asked, " What shall 
I do, if the stamped paper should be sent to 
me by the king's authority?'' Putnam re- 
plied — " Lock it up until we visit you again." 
''And what will you do then?" inquired 
His Excellency. " We shall expect you," 
said the resolute Putnam, "to give us the 
key of the room in which it is deposited ; 
and if you think fit, in order to screen your- 
self from blame, you may forewarn us, up- 
on our peril, not to enter the room." " And 
what will you do afterwards?" -'Send it 
safely back again." "But if I should refuse 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 247 

admission," suggested the Governor. " In 
such a case." says Putnam, '•' your house 
will be levelled with the dust in five min- 
utes." This conversation was noised abroad, 
and the stamped paper was never sent from 
Xew-York to Connecticut. 

While the storm was gathering, which 
plunged the country into the war of the Re- 
volution, Putnam was among the first to 
welcome its fury. Not one of the bold spi- 
rits who resisted the tyrannical usurpations of 
the English ministry, was more fearless than 
himself In the midst of the discontent, he 
frequently visited Boston, and conversed up- 
on the grievances of the colonies, with Gene- 
ral Gage, Lord Percy, Colonel Small, and 
otlierofiicers, whom he had previously known. 
On one occasion, being asked by them, 
" what part he would take, in case the dis- 
pute should proceed to hostilities 7" He 
promptly answered — '' with my country, and 
happen what may, I am prepared to abide 
the consequences." When he was referred 
to tho skill iind discipline of the British fleets 
and armies, the effects of which he had of- 
ten witnessed, he rejoined, that in case of a 



248 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

contest, "justice would be on our side, and 
the event with Providence ; but that he had 
calculated, if it required six years for the 
combined forces of England and her colonies 
to conquer such a feeble country as Canada, 
it would, at least, take a very long time for 
England alone to overcome her widely ex- 
tended colonies, which were so much stron- 
ger than Canada." At another time, the 
question was put to him, '' whether he did 
not seriously believe that a well appointed 
British army of five thousand veterans, could 
march through the whole continent of Ameri- 
ca?" He replied, with much spirit: "No 
doubt, if they behaved civilly, and paid well 
for every thing they wanted; but," he ad- 
ded, after a moment's pause, " if they should 
attempt it in a hostile manner, though the 
American men were out of the question, the 
women, with their ladles and broomsticks, 
would knock them all on the head before 
they had got half way through !" 

The news of the battle of Lexington reach- 
ed Putnam while at work on his farm. He 
instantly unyoked his team, left his plough 
in the middle of the field, and, without wait- 



ISUAI.l. riTNAlM. 249 

mi( to clianec his clothes, set out lor the 
scene of war. Arrived there, he found that 
the Kritisli had retreated to Boston, which 
was already invested by the militia, and he 
then returned to Connecticut, levied a regi- 
ment under the authority of the legislature, 
and n)arrhed them to Cambridge. He was 
now promoted to the rank of major general 
by his colony, and on the 2'^d day of June, 
1775, received the same appointment from 
the Continental Congress. About this time 
a proposition was made to Putnam, from the 
British commander-in-chief, to relinquish his 
commission in the provincial service, on con- 
ditii^n tliat he should be appointed a major 
general in the l^nglish army, and receive a 
large pecuniary compensation for his loyalty. 
He indignantly spurned the offer, and re- 
iloubled his efforts in behalf of his injured 
conntrymen. 

At tlir battle of Bunker-hill, which occur- 
red on tlie 17th of June, 1775, General Put- 
nam rendered ellicient service. On the eve- 
iiiuii of the 16th, he proceeded with a de- 
tachment of one thousand men to Breed's 
Hill, where a breastwork and redo\d)t were 



250 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

formed under his immediate superintendence, 
assisted by Colonel Prescott, and Captain 
Knowlton. About four in the morning, the 
works were observed by the captain of a 
British sloop of war, lying in the river Charles, 
who instantly began a heavy fire upon them, 
and was soon joined by the other ships in 
the harbor, and by the battery on Copp's 
Hill, in Boston. The Americans fearlessly 
continued their labors, amidst an incessant 
shower of balls and bombs. As this post 
overlooked Boston, it was necessary for the 
safety of the British force that the Americans 
should be dislodged. Soon after mid-day a 
detachment under the command of Generals 
Howe and Pigot, crossed the river in boats, 
and landed near the point of the peninsula 
on which Breed's Hill is situated. Obser- 
ving the strong position of the Americans, Ge- 
neral Howe waited for a reinforcement, 
which soon arrived. In the meantime, the 
Americans received an accession of strength 
under Generals Warren and Pomeroy, who 
crossed Charlestown neck, under a brisk can- 
nonade from the shipping in the rivers. By 
this arrival, the provincial force was increa- 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 251 

sed to about one thousand and five hundred. 
The British deta(^hmcnt, consisting of up- 
ward of two thousand men, advanced with 
considerable confidence to the attack. At 
the same time, Charlestown, a thriving place, 
containing about three hundred wooden hou- 
ses, besides other buildings, was set on fire 
by the left wing of the British force, under 
General Pigot. and entirely consumed. The 
rising flames contributed a great deal to 
heighten the grandeur and solemnity of the 
scene. 

Secure behind their entrenchments, the 
Americans reserved their fire, in obedience 
to the commands of Putnam, and waited the 
approach of the British, till they could see the 
whites of their eyes : when they poured upon 
them an uninterrupted and well directed 
fire of musketry. Twice the enemy were 
repulsed and driven to their boats, when Sir 
Henry Clinton opportunely arrived, and led 
them back to a third and more successful 
attack, in which thoy entered the American 
lines, with fixed bayonets. The colonists 
had now nearly. exhausted their powder, and 



252 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

their fire slackened. Being ill provided with 
bayonets, they were unprepared for a close 
encounter, but they met the British with 
clubbed muskets, and manfully stood their 
ground, until their lines were enfiladed by 
artillery, and the redoubt half filled with 
British regulars, when they were compelled 
to retreat, leaving the brave General Warren 
dead on the field. The enemy pursued the 
provincials to Winter's Hill. Here Putnam 
made a stand, and drove them back under 
cover of their ships. This was a severe 
battle, and extremely destructive to the Bri- 
tish. Nearly one half of their detachment 
fell. At one time General Howe was left 
standing alone, every officer and soldier near 
him having been killed or wounded. Ac- 
cording to the return made by General Gage, 
the British lost one thousand and fifty-four 
men in killed and wounded. The American 
loss in killed, wounded and missing, was 
four hundred and fifty-three. 

After this engagement, the British en- 
trenched themselves on Bunker's Hill ; and 
the Americans on Prospect Hill, a short dis- 



ISKAKI. I'lTNAM. 253 

tance in (rout of them. On the 2d of July, 
^ieneral Washington arrived at Cambridge, 
and the army was soon after divided into 
three «rrand divisions, Cieneral Pntnam was 
appoijjted to connnand tiie reserve. In 
March, 1770, he was ordered to the city of 
New York, wliere he was constantly engaged 
111 strengthening the works in the vicinity, 
until the arrival of the commander-in-chief, 
in April. During the summer, the troops on 
Long Island, were commanded by General 
Greene, who was taken sick two days before 
the battle of Flalbush. General Putnam 
then assumed tht^ conuuaiid. but remained 
within the lines, while the nKn'enients to 
prevent the advance of the British were 
principaUy made under the direction of Ge- 
neral Sullivan. After the retreat from the 
island, General Putnam remained in New 
York until the evacuation of that city. 
While the army were retiring up the North 
river, his activity and perseverance went 
very tar to ensure the sal'ety of the division 
under his conmiand. In October he was sent 
to the western side of the river, to provide 



254 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

against an irruption into the Jerseys, and 
soon after proceeded to Piiiladelphia, to put 
that city in a state of defence. 

In January, 1777, General Putnam was 
directed to take post at Princeton, where he 
continued until the spring. While here, his 
force was so much reduced, on one occasion, 
that he had fewer men for duty than he had 
miles of territory to guard. At this very 
time, a sick prisoner, who was a captain in 
the British army, requested permission to 
send to New Brunswick, where the enemy 
then lay, for a friend, also an officer, to assist 
in preparing his will. Putnam was much 
perplexed. He had but fift}^ men imder his 
command; and, while he did not wish to 
have his weakness known, he was anxious 
to comply with the request of his prisoner. 
He sent a flag of truce, however, and di- 
rected the otficer to be brought in the night. 
In the evening lights were placed in all the 
college windows, and in every apartment of 
the vacant houses throughout the town. 
The British officer, on his return, reported 
that the force under General Putnam, could 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 255 

not consist of less than four or five thousand 
men. The prisoner himself, was very grate- 
ful to the general, for his kindness. One 
day, in the course of a familiar conversation, 
the captain, who was a Scotchman by birth, 
said to General Putnam, '' Pray, sir, what 
countryman are you?" "An American," 
answered Putnam. -'Not a Yankee?" ex- 
claimed the other. ''A full blooded one," 
was the reply. '* I am sorry for it," returned 
the captain ; •• 1 did not think there could be 
so much goodness and generosity in an 
American, or. indeed, in any body but a 
Scotchman." 

In the spring of 1777, (ieneral Putnam 
was assigned to the command of a separate 
army in the highlands of New York. Shortly 
after his arrival, one Palmer, a lieutenant in 
the new tory levies, was detected in his 
can J p. (lovemor Tryon reclaimed him as a 
British oflicer, and threatened to retaliate, if 
he was not restored. General Putnam re- 
turned the tbllowing pithy and laconic reply 
to the menacing message : 

•' Sir : — Xathan Palmer, a lieutenant in 
your king's service, was taken in my camp 



256 ISRAEL rUTiNAM. 

as a spy ; he was tried as a spy^ he was con- 
demned as a spy^ and you may rest assured, 
sir, he shall be hanged as a spy. 

I have the honor to be, <^c., 

ISRAEL PUTNAM. 
His Excellency, Governor Tryon. 
P. S. Afternoon. He is hanged.'' 
After the loss of forts Clinton and Mont- 
gomery, which was entirely owing to the 
want of men, as decided by a court of in- 
quiry, and not to any negligence of General 
Putnam, it was determined to erect another 
fortress on the Hudson. The selection of a 
site was committed to Putnam, who fixed 
upon West Point. The wisdom of his choice 
was confirmed by the British commanders 
themselves, who regarded the fort as the 
American Gibralter, and never attempted its 
capture, except through treachery. 

In the fall of 1778, General Putnam was 
stationed for the winter at Reading, Con- 
necticut, in order to protect the country ad- 
joining the sound, and support the garrison 
at West Point, in case of an attack. About 
the middle of the winter, while on a visit to 
his out-post at Horseneck, lie found the offi- 



ISRAEL PUTNAM. 257 

cer in command exceedingly careless in the 
discharge of his duty, and on the point of be- 
ing surprised by Governor Tryon, who was 
advancing on the town with a force of fifteen 
hundred men. To oppose them, Putnam had 
only a picquet of one hundred and fifty men, 
and two iron field pieces, without horses or 
drag ropes. He planted his cannon on the 
high ground, and retarded the approach of 
the enemy by firing several times, when, 
perceiving that they were about to charge, he 
ordered the picquet to provide for their safety 
by retiring to a swamp, inaccessible to horse, 
and secured his own by plunging down a 
precipice, at full trot. 

"The precipice is so steep, where he de- 
scended, as to have artificial stairs, composed 
of nearly one hundred stone steps, for the ac- 
commodation of foot passengers. There the 
dragoons, who were but a sword's length 
from him, stopped short, for the declivity was 
so abrupt that they dared not follow; and, 
before they could gain the valley by going 
round the brow of the hill, in the ordinary 
road, he was far enough beyond their reach. 
He continued his route unmolested, to Stam- 
17 



258 ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

ford ; from whence, having strengthened his 
picquet by a junction with some miUtia, he 
came back again, and, in turn, pursued Go- 
vernor Tryon in his retreat. As he rode 
down the precipice, one ball of the many 
fired at him, went through his beaver, but 
Governor Tryon, by way of compensation 
for spoiling his clothes, sent him, soon after- 
wards, a complete suit as a present." 

In the campaign of 1779, which closed 
General Putnam's military career, he com- 
manded the Maryland line, posted at the 
Buttermilk falls, about two miles below West 
Point. His time was principally spent in 
completing and strengthening the fortifica- 
tions. When the army retired to Morristown 
for the purpose of going into winter quarters, 
he went to Connecticut to spend a few weeks 
with his family. On his return, in Decem- 
ber, while on the road between Pomfret and 
Hartford, he was attacked with a paralytic 
stroke, which deprived him of the use of his 
limbs, and compelled him to retire from the 
army. 

" The remainder of the life of General 
Putnam, was passed in quiet retirement, with 



ISRAFL PUTNAM. 259 

his family. He experienced few interrup- 
tions ill Ins bodily health, except the paraly- 
tic debility with Avhich he was afflicted; re- 
tained the full possession of his mental fa- 
culties : and enjoyed the society of his friends, 
until the 17th of May, 1790, when he was 
violently attacked with an inflammatory dis- 
ease. Satisfied, from the first, that it would 
prove mortal, he was calm and resigned, and 
welcomed the approach of death with joy, 
as a messenger sent to call him from a life 
of toil to everlasting rest. On the 19th of 
May, 1790, he ended a life which had 
been spent in cultivating and defending the 
soil of his birth, in the seventy-third year of 
his age.'' 

Though inured to scenes of cruelty and 
bloodshed, General Putnam was kind and ten- 
der in his disposition. Faithful to his coun- 
try, always reliable, tried and true, he closed 
his long and eventful career, l\ill of years, 
and full of honor. 



JOHN STARK 



His Birth-place — Taken Cnptive and adopted by the In- 
dinns, in his youth. — Commands a company in the old 
French and Indian War. — Early espouses the Amenr.an 
Cause, and appointed Colonel. — Battle of Bunker Hill, 
and his Brave Conduct ; also at Trenton. — Receives the 
appointment of Brigadier General. — Stays npon the 
rear an I harasses Burgoyne. — Brilliant Victory of Ben- 
ning'on. — Receives a vote of thanks from Congress. — 
Surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga. — Retires from the 
army at the close of the tear, and devotes himself to 
peaceful pursuits. — His death. 

Genrral Stark was born at Londonderry, 
in Now Hampshire, on the ITth day of Au- 
gust, 17'2S. He resided in a district of coun- 
try exposed to the incursions of the savages, 
and he was early accustomed to the scenes of 
war. While yet a child, he was taken pri- 
soner by the Indians, adopted by them, and 
remained some years in captivity. Plain, 



262 JOHN STARK . 

honest, and upright, in his Ufe and character, 
he was highly respected and esteemed by his 
friends and acquaintances. Though defi- 
cient in education, and*in the refinements of 
pohshed society, he possessed a warm, true 
heart, united to a natural readiness of mind 
and apprehension, which went far to com- 
pensate for the lacic of other qualities, and se- 
cured him a very respectable standing in the 
estimation of the community to which he 
belonged. 

During the French and Indian war, in 
1755, Stark commanded a company of ran- 
gers in the provincial service, and was often 
complimented for the zeal and efficiency he 
displayed in that capacity. At the com- 
mencement of the difficulties with Great 
Britain, he took a firm and decided stand 
with the colonies. Accustomed from his in- 
fancy to indulge the free and generous im- 
pulses which were so natural to his condition 
in life, he could not brook the idea of being 
taxed against his will, merely to gratify the 
wishes of a distant king and his ministers. 
He was busily at work in his saw mill when 
the report of the struggle at Lexington reach- 



JOHN STARK. 263 

cd Iiim. All work was ended in an nistant. 
Fired with a just and manly indignation, he 
immediately seized his musket, and with a 
band ot' similar spirits who hastily gathered 
.'iround him. he departed for Cambridge. 

On the morning after his arrival, he re- 
ceived a ooloners commission, and, such was 
his popularity, and the enthusiasm of the 
people, that in less than two hours he en- 
listed a force of eight hundred men. He 
was present at the memorable battle of 
Bunker Hill, on the 17th of June, 1775, and, 
with tlie brave and hardy backwoodsmen, 
who ft>Ilowed him from New Hampshire, 
aided in ponrmg upon the enemy that deadly 
fire wiiicli etfccted so much destruction in 
their ranks. 

The same siiint which annnated Stark 
was shared by the citizens of his native state. 
The call of Congress was responded to with 
alacrity, and hundreds of the resolute and 
courageous young men of the province join- 
ed tlie American army. Such was the zeal 
and i)romptitude displayed in that section of 
the confederacy, that (jJeneral Burgoyne af- 
terwards remarked in one of his letters, "that 



264 JOHN STARK. 

the Hampshire Grants, almost imknown in 
the last war, now abound in the most active 
and most rebellions race on the continent, and 
hung like a gathering storm upon my left." 
Colonel Stark rendered good service in rally- 
ing the energies of his fellow citizens, who 
seconded his efforts with all the means at 
their command. 

In 1776, Colonel Stark accompanied the 
army under General Washington on its rapid 
retreat through New Jersey. He was also 
engaged in the enterprise against Trenton, 
and displayed unequalled gallantry and da- 
ring on that occasion. General Wilkinson, 
in his account of the engagement, pays Stark 
the following compliment : '' I must not with- 
hold due praise from the dauntless Stark, 
who dealt death wherever he found resis- 
tance, and broke down all opposition before 
him." Not long after this affair, he becam.e 
dissatisfied, in consequence of some of the 
proceedings of Congress, which he thought 
were unjust so far as they affected himself^ 
and quitted the continental service. 

From Belknap's History of New Hampshire, 
and Williams' History of Vermont, we ga- 



JOHN STARK. 265 

thcr the following incidents in his subsequent 
career : '' When he was urged by the govern- 
ment of New TIampsliirc, to rake the command 
of their militia, he refused, unless he should 
be left at liberty to serve or not, under a con- 
tinental officer, as he should judge proper. It 
was not a time for debate, and it was known 
that the militia would follow wherever Stark 
would lead. The assembly therefore in- 
vested him with a separate command, and 
gave him orders ' to repair to Charlestown, 
on Connecticut river; tliere to consult with 
a committee of the New Hampshire Grants, 
respecting his future operations, and the sup- 
ply of his men with provisions; to take the 
command of the militia, and march into the 
Grants; to act in conjunction with the troops 
of that new state, or any other of the states, 
or of the United States, or separately, as it 
should appear expedient to him, for the pro- 
tection of the people, and tJie annoyance of 
the enemy.' 

'• Agreeably to his orders. Stark proceeded 
in a few days to Charlestown : his men very 
readily lollowed ; and as fast as they arrived, 
he sent them forward to join the troops of 



266 JOHN bTARK. 

Vermont, under Colonel Warner, who had 
taken his situation at Manchester. At that 
place he joined Warner with about eight 
hundred men from New Hampshire, and 
found another body of men from Vermont, 
who put themselves under his command, 
when he found himself at the head of four- 
teen hundred men. Most of them had been 
in the two former campaigns, were well offi- 
cered, and in every respect a body of very 
good troops. General Schuyler repeatedly 
urged Stark to join the troops under his com- 
mand, but he declined complying. He was 
led to this conduct, not only by the reasons 
which have been mentioned, but by a differ- 
ence of opinion as to the best method of 
opposing Burgoyne. Schuyler wished to 
collect all the American troops in the front, 
to prevent Burgoyne from marching on to 
Albany. Stark was of opinion that the 
surest way to check Burgoyne, was to liave 
a body of men on his rear, ready to fall upon 
him in that quarter, whenever a favorable 
opportunity should present. The New Eng- 
land militia had not formed a high opinion 
of Schuyler, as a general ; and Stark meant 



JOHN ISTAKK'. 1^67 

to keep himself in a situation in which he 
might embrace any favorable opportunity 
lor action, either in conjunction with him, or 
otherwise ; and with that view intended to 
hang on the rear of the British troops, and 
embrace the first opportunity which should 
present, to make an attack upon that quar- 
ter. But Stark assured Schuyler, that he 
would join in any measures necessary to 
promote the public good, but wished to avoid 
any thing that was not consistent with his 
own honor : and, if it was thought necessary, 
ho would march to his camp. He wrote 
particularly, that he would lay aside all pri- 
vate resentment, when it appeared in oppo- 
sition to the public good. But, in the midst 
of these protestations, he was watching for 
an opportunity to discover his courage and 
patriotism, by frilling upon some part of Bm*- 
goyne's army. 

'* While the American army was thus as- 
suming a more respectable appearance, Ge- 
neral Burgoyne was making very slow ad- 
vances towards Albany. From the twenty- 
eighth of July to the fifteenth of August, the 
British army was continually employed in 



268 JOHN STARK. 

bringing forward batteaiix, provisions and 
ammunition, from Fort George to the first 
navigable part of the Hudson River, a dis- 
tance of not more than eighteen miles. The 
labor was excessive ; the Europeans were 
but little acquainted with the methods of 
performing it to advantage, and the effect 
was in no degree equivalent to the expense 
of labor and time. With all the efforts that 
Burgoyne could make, encumbered with his 
artillery and baggage, his labors were inade- 
quate to the purpose of supplying the army 
with provisions for its daily consumption, 
and the establishment of the necessary maga- 
zines. And after his utmost exertions for 
fifteen days, there were not above four days' 
provisions in the store, nor above ten bat- 
teaux in the Hudson. 

"In such circumstances, the British Gene- 
ral found that it would be impossible to pro- 
cure sufficient supplies of provisions, by the 
way of Fort George, and determined to re- 
plenish his own magazines^ at the expense 
of those of the Americans. Having received 
information that a large quantity of stores 
were laid up at Bennington, and guarded 



JOHN STARK. 269 

only by the militia, he formed the design of 
surprising that place ; and was made to be- 
lieve that as soon as a detachment of the 
royal army should appear in that quarter, it 
would receive effectual assistance from a 
large body of loyalists, who only waited for 
the appearance of a support, and would, in 
that event, come forward and aid the royal 
cause. Full of these expectations, he de- 
tached Colonel Baume, a German officer, 
with a select body of troops, to surprise the 
place. His force consisted of five hundred 
regular troops, some Canadians, and more 
than one hundred Indians, with two light 
pieces of artillery. To facilitate their opera- 
tions, and to be ready to take advantage of 
the success of the detachment, the royal ar- 
my moved along the east bank of the Hud- 
son river, and encamped nearly opposite to 
Saratoga : having at the same time thrown a 
bridge of rafts over the river, by which the 
army passed to that place. With a view to 
support Baume, if it should be found neces- 
sary. Lieutenant Colonel Rrchmnn's corps, 
consisting of the Brunswick grenadiers, light 



270 JOHN STARK. 

infantry, and chapeurs, was posted at Batten- 
kill. 

" General Stark having received informa- 
tion that a party of Indians were at Cam- 
bridge, sent Lieutenant Colonel Gregg, on 
the 13th of August, with a party of two hun- 
dred men, to stop their progress. Towards 
night, he was informed by express that a 
large body of regulars was in the rear of the 
Indians, and advancing in the direction of 
Bennington. On receiving this intelligence, 
Stark drew together his brigade, and the 
militia that were at hand, and sent to Man- 
chester to Colonel Warner, to bring on his 
regiment ; he sent expresses at the same time 
to the neighboring militia, to join him with 
the utmost speed. On the morning of the 
14th, he marched with his troops ; and at 
the distance of seven miles, he met Gregg on 
the retreat, and the enemy within a mile of 
him. Stark drew up his troops in order of 
battle ; but the enemy coming in sight, halt- 
ed upon a very advantageous piece of ground. 
Baume perceived that the Americans were 
too strong to be attacked with the present 



JOHN STARK. 271 

i'orce, and sent an express to Burgoync with 
an account of his situation, and to have 
Biehnmn niarcli nnmediately to support him. 
In the meantime, small parties of the Ameri- 
cans kept up a skirmisli with the enemy, 
killed and wounded thirty of them, with two 
ol their Indian Chiefs, and without any loss 
to themselves. 

^' The ground the Americans had taken 
was unfavoral)le for a general action, and 
Stark retreated about a mile, and encamped. 
A council of war was held, and it was agreed 
to send two detachments upon the enemy's 
rear, while the rest of the troops should make 
an attack upon their front. Tlie next day 
the weather was rainy, and, though it pre- 
vented a general action, there were frequent 
skirmishings, in small })arties, which proved 
lavorable and encouraging to the Americans. 
On the inth day>f August, in the morning, 
Stark was joined by Colonel Symonds, and 
a body of militia from Berkshire, and pro- 
ceeded to attack the enemy, agreeably to the 
plan which had been concerted. Colonel 
Baume, in the meantime, had entrenched, 
on ail advantageous piecp of ground near St. 



272 JOHN STARKc 

Koick's mills, on a branch of the Hoosick 
river ; and rendered his post as strong as his 
circumstances and situation would admit. 
Colonel Nichols v/as detached with two hun- 
dred men to the rear of his left ; and Colonel 
Herrick, with three hundred men, to the rear 
of his right ; both were to join, and then 
make the attack. Colonels Hubbard and 
Stickney, with two hundred more, were or- 
dered on the right; and one hundred men 
were advanced towards the front, to draw 
the attention of the enemy that way. 

'^ About three o'clock in the afternoon, the 
troops had taken their situation, and were 
ready to commence the action. While Nich- 
ols and Herrick were bringing their troops 
together, the Indians were alarmed at the 
prospect, and pushed off between the corps ; 
but they received a fire as they were pas- 
sing, by which three of them were killed, 
and two wounded. Nichols began the at- 
tack, and was followed by all the other di- 
visions ; those in front immediately advan- 
ced, and in a few minutes the action became 
general. It lasted about two hours, and was 
like one continued peal of thunder. Baume 



JOHN STARK. 273 

made a brave defence ; and the German dra- 
goons, after they had expended their ammu- 
nition, led by their colonel, charged with 
their swords, but they were soon overpow- 
ered. Their works were carried on all sides ; 
their two pieces of cannon were taken; Co- 
lonel Baume himself was mortally wounded, 
and taken prisoner; and all his men, except 
a few who had escaped into the woods, were 
either killed or taken prisoners. Having 
completed the business, by taking the whole 
party, the militia began to disperse, and look 
out for plunder. But in a few minutes Stark 
received information that a large reinforce- 
ment of British troops, under Colonel Breh- 
man, were on their march, and within two 
miles of him. Fortunately, at that moment, 
Colonel Warner came up with his regiment 
from Manchester. This brave and expe- 
rienced officer commanded a regiment of 
continental troops, which had been raised in 
Vermont. Mortified that he had not been in 
the former engagomeut. ho instantly led on 
his men agamst Brehman, and began the 
second engagement. Stark collected the mi- 
litia as soon as possible, and pushed on to 
18 



274 JOHN STARK. 

his assistance. The action became general, 
and the battle continued obstinate on both 
sidesj till sunset, when the Germans were 
forced to give way, and were pursued till 
dark. They left their two field pieces be- 
hind, and a considerable number were made 
prisoners. They retreated in the best man- 
ner they could, improving the advantages of 
the evening and night, to which alone their 
escape was ascribed." 

In these two actions, the Americans took 
four brass field pieces, about one thousand 
muskets, which was a most seasonable sup- 
ply to the militia, nine hundred swords, and 
four baggage wagons. Exclusive of Cana- 
dians and Indians, the British loss was up- 
wards of seven hundred, in killed, wounded, 
and taken prisoners. The Americans lost 
one hundred, in killed and wounded. 

"Stark was not a little pleased to have so 
fair an opportunity to vindicate his own 
conduct. He had now shown that no neg- 
lect from Congress had made him disaffected 
to the American cause, and that he had ren- 
dered a much more important service, than 
he could have done by joining Schuyler, and 



i 



JOHN STARK. 275 

remaining inactive in his camp. Congress 
embraced the opportunity to assign to him 
his rank, and though he had not given to 
them any account of his victory, or wrote 
to them at all upon the subject, on the fourth 
day of October, they resolved, ' that the 
thanks of Congress be presented to General 
Stark, of the New Hampshire mihtia, and 
the officers and troops under his command, 
for their brave and successful attack upon, 
and signal victory over, the enemy, in their 
lines at Bennington : and that Brigadier 
Stark he appointed a brigadier general in the 
army of the I'nited States.' And never 
were tlianks more deserved, or more wisely 
given to a military officer.'' 

In his account of the battle of Benning- 
ton, given to the authorities of New-Hamp- 
shire, Stark wrote as follows : '' It lasted two 
hours — the holiest I ercr saic in my life. It 
represented one coniimied clap of thunder ; 
however, tlie enemy were obliged to give 
way, and leave their lield-picces, and all 
their baggage behind them. They were all 
environed within two breast works, with 
artillery ; but our martial courage proved 



276 JOHN STARK. 

too Strong for them. I then gave orders lo \ 
rally again, in order to secure the victory ; i 
but in a few minutes was informed that there I 
was a large reinforcement on their march, ' 
within two miles. Colonel Warner's regi- ■ 
ment luckily coming up at the moment, re- | 
newed the attack, with fresh vigor. I push- ! 
ed forward as many of the men as I could : 
to their assistance ; the battle continued ob- i 
stinate on both sides until after sunset ; the ; 
enemy was obliged to retreat. We pursued \ 
them till dark, and had day lasted an hour \ 
longer, should have taken the whole body of i 
them." I 

'•' On what small events, does the popular ; 
humor and military success depend 1 The ; 
capture of one thousand Germans by General ■ 
Washington at Trenton, had served to wake i 
up, and save the whole continent. The ex- | 
ploit of Stark at Bennington, operated with ] 
the same kind of influence, and produced a | 
similar effect. This victory was the first \ 
event that had proved encouraging to the 
Americans in the northern department, since 
the time of the death of General Montgo- 
mery. Misfortune had succeeded misfortune, 



JOHN STARK. 277 

and det'eat liad followed defeat, from' that 
period till now. The present instance was 
the first, in which victory had quitted the 
royal standard, or seemed even to be waver- 
ing. She was now found with the American 
arms, and the effect seemed, in fact, to be 
greater than the cause. It raised the spirit 
of the country to an uncommon degree of 
animation ; and by showing the militia what 
they could perform, rendered them willing 
and desirous to turn out, and try what for- 
tunes would await their exertions. It had a 
still greater effect on the royal army. The 
British Generals were surprised to hear that 
an enemy, whom they had contemplated 
with no other feelings than those of contempt, 
should all at once wake up and discover so 
much of the spirit of heroism. 

'•To advance upon the mouth of cannon ; 
to attack fortified lines; to carry strong en- 
trenchments, were exploits which they sup- 
jiosed hoion^od exclusively to the armies of 
kings. To sec a body of American militia, 
i!l-dressed. but little disciplined, without can- 
non, armed only with farmers' guns, with- 
out bayonets, and who had been accustomed 



278 JOHN STARK. 

to fly at their approach, boldly force their 
entrenchments, capture their cannon, kill and 
make prisoners a large body of the regular 
army, was a matter of indignation, astonish- 
ment and surprise." 

After the battle at Bennington, General 
Stark volunteered his services to General 
Gates, at Saratoga, and assisted at the ca- 
pitulation of Burgoyne. He subsequently 
contributed in different situations and capa- 
cities, to further the great work of redeem- 
ing the colonies from the iron sway of Great 
Britain. At the close of the war, he con- 
fined himself entirely to the peaceful pursuits 
which had previously occupied his attention. 
For the last several years of his life, he en- 
joyed a pecuniary bounty from the govern- 
ment, which could not have been more justly 
merited. He was honored and respectedby 
all who knew him, and lived a long and 
useful life. He died on the 8th day of May, 
1822, at the advanced' age of ninety-three 
years. 



join' SULLIVAN. 



Bli th-plcce. — Enters the Continental Army, and assigned 
to the Command of the Forces sent against Canada. — 
Appointed Major General. — Defeated and taken priso- 
ner at the Battle of Long Island. — Exchanged. — Hit 
gallant conduct at the Battle of Germantoiin. — Hit 
operations against the British in Rhode Island. — Suc- 
cessful Expedition against the Indians in Pennsylvania. 
— Resigns his Commission in the Army and rcsvmes 
the practice of his Profession. — Receives the degree of 
Doctor of Laics. — Elected Governor of New Hamp- 
shire. — Appointed United States District Judge. — Hit 
Dca'h. 

Genkral Sullivan was a native of New 
Hampshire, and a lawyer by profession. 
Previous to tlio revolution, he had attained a 
very respectable degree of eminence at the 
bar, and vv-as a member of the first Congress,, 
in 1771. At the connncncement of hostili- 
ties, he signified his preference for a military, 



280 JOHN SULLlVAiY. 

over a civil life, and, on the 22d of Joiie, 
1775, was appointed a brigadier general in 
the army of the United States. He imme- 
diately joined the continental forces at Cam- 
bridge, and was assigned to the command 
of a detachment on Winter's Hill. 

In the spring of 1776, General Sullivan 
was ordered to Canada. The command of 
the northern army was given to Major Gene- 
ral Thomas, who arrived in the camp near 
Quebec on the 1st of May. He found the 
troops in such a wretched condition, that he 
determined to retreat toward Montreal. The 
army accordingly proceeded to Sorel and 
encamped there. About this time, it re- 
ceived several reinforcements, but General 
Thomas was taken sick with the prevailing 
disorder, the small pox, and died in a few 
days. By his death. General Sullivan suc- 
ceeded to the command. Without accom- 
plishing any military enterprise of moment, 
the American forces were compelled to re- 
tire, in consequence of the advance of the 
British army, which was vastly superior in 
numbers, and in condition. 

On the 15th of June, General Arnold quit- 



JUHN Sl'I.LIVAN. 281 

ted ^Montreal, with the men under his com- 
mand, and after a union with SuUivan, con- 
ducted the army to Crown Point. Too much 
praise cannot be awarded to General Sulh- 
van, for his unwearied exertions, and judi- 
cious management, in saving his httle band, 
and the pubhc property, from complete ruin. 
On his retiring from tlie command, tlie ficW 
officers addressed him in the following terms: 
• It is to you, sir, the public are indebted for 
the preservation of their property in Canada. 
It is to you we owe our safety thus far. 
Your humanity will call forth the silent tear, 
and the grateful ejaculation of the sick. 
Vour universal impartiality will force the 
applause of the wearied soldier.'' 

In August, 177r>. (iencral Sullivan was 
promoted to the rank of Major General, and 
was attached to the army on Long Island. 
After the unfortunate illness of General 
(ireene, he succeeded to the command of the 
troops outside of the fortifications. Having 
but a short time previous arrived in camp, 
and being almost entirely unacquainted with 
the situation of the country, he was unable 
to complete the arrangements contemplated 



2S2 JOHN SULLIVAN. 

by General Greene. On the landing of the 
British, he sent strong detachments to guard 
the passes near the Narrows, and on the 
Flatbush road: but the more distant pass, 
by the Bedford road, was merely guarded 
by an officer, with a small party, who dis- 
charged his duty in the most careless man- 
ner, and failed to give seasonable notice of 
the advance of the enemy. General Sullivan 
himself proceeded with a strong detachment, 
on the direct road from Flatbush to Brook- 
lyn, and occupied the breastworks thrown 
up by General Greene, for the defence of this 
important pass. Shortly after daylight, on 
the 27th of August, the Hessians at Flatbush 
opened a moderate cannonade upon him. 
At half past eight, Count Donop was de- 
tached to attack the hill, by General De 
Heister, who soon followed with the centre 
of the army. The Americans calmly awaited 
the advance of the enemy, with their muskets 
levelled, fancying themselves in perfect secu- 
rity. Just as the attack was about to com- 
mence, a report of artillery was heard in 
their rear. The fearful truth at once flashed 
upon their minds, that the enemy had turned 



JOHN SULLIVAN. 283 

their left flank, and placed them between 
two fires. Generals Clinton and Percy, 
with a large force, had proceeded by the 
Bedford road, and gained a position in their 
rear. In vain Sullivan exerted himself to 
rally his men for a desperate struggle They 
instantly fell back, and attempted to cleave 
their way through the enemy, and regain 
their camp. For three hours, the conflict 
was continued by Sullivan, and his brave 
men, who fought like tigers, when they found 
there was no other chance for escape. Many 
forced their way through the lines ; some 
escaped into the woods ; and numbers were 
slain. On the side of the enemy the slaughter 
was immense. The Americans, who re- 
mained in the entrenchment, kept up an in- 
cessant fire on their opponents, until it was 
found that all further resistance was in vain. 
At eleven o'clock. General Sullivan surren- 
dered himscll'. and his men, as prisoners of 
war. 

After the battle on Tions? Island, General 
Sullivan was sent by Lord Howe, with a mes- 
sage to Congress, expressing a wish to hold a 
conference with some of the members. A 



284 JOHN SULLIVAN. 

committee was appointed to meet his lord- 
ship, who informed him that Congress had 
no authority to treat for the colonies, except 
as independent states. As Lord Howe had 
no instructions on this point, the conference 
was soon brought to a close. On the 4th of 
September, General Sullivan was exchanged 
for General Prescott, and assumed the com- 
mand of General Lee's division of the main 
army under General Washington, which he 
conducted in safety across the Delaware. 
He accompanied the commander-in-chief, in 
his attack on the Hessians at Trenton, and 
acquitted himself with high honor on that 
memorable day. He was also in Connecti- 
cut, at the time of General Try on' s invasion 
in April, and materially assisted Generals 
Wooster and Arnold inharrassing the enemy 
on their retreat. In August, 1777, General 
Sullivan, without the authority of Congress, 
or of the commander-in-chief, planned and 
executed an expedition against the enemy 
on Staten Island. The enterprise was suc- 
cessful only in part, and Sullivan's conduct 
was afterwards made the subject of review 
before a court of inquiry, which completely 



JOHN SULLIVAN. 285 

ejionerated him from all injurious imputa- 
tions. 

At the battle ol' the Brandywine, General 
Sullivan commanded the detachment sent to 
guard the fords above the forks. He occu- 
pied the heights above Birmingham church, 
his left extending to the creek, his artillery 
judiciously placed, and his right flank co- 
vered by woods. He was attacked by Lord 
Cornwallis, about four o'clock in the after- 
noon, and his men maintained their position 
for some time, with commendable bravery and 
mtrepidity ; but they were at length obliged 
to give way before superior numbers, and the 
timely arrival of General Greene with a re- 
inforcement, prevented a complete rout. In 
the alfair at Germantown, Sullivan com- 
manded the right division, and was constant- 
ly engaged, in the thickest of the fight, in 
urging his troops on to the attack. Two of 
his aids were killed near him, and his own 
gallantry was so conspicuous, that General 
Washington, in his oflicial report, said : " In 
justice to the right wing of the army, whose 
conduct I had an opportunity of observing, 
as they acted immediately under my eye, I 



286 JOHN SULLIVAN. 

have the greatest pleasure to inform you, 
that hoth the officers and men behaved with 
a degree of gallantry which did them the 
highest honor." 

In August, 1778, General Sullivan assumed 
the command of the forces intended for the 
reduction of Rhode Island. Preparations 
had been in progress for several months, and, 
on his arrival, he made use of every means 
in his power to forward them. General Pi- 
got, the commander of the British forces at 
Newport, in order to impede his operations, 
ordered two different incursions into Provi- 
dence Plantation, in which a quantity of mili- 
tary and naval stores, some galleys and arm- 
ed sloops, and upward of one hundred boats, 
prepared for the expedition, were destroyed. 
These losses so far delayed matters, that 
when Count D'Estaing arrived with the 
French fleet to co-operate with him, General 
Sullivan was not ready for the attack. The 
French admiral stationed some ships of war 
in the Seakonet and Narraganset entrances 
to the harbor of Newport, and closed the 
main channel by anchoring with his fleet at 
its mouth. In this position he remained mi- 



JOHN SULLIVAN. 287 

til the Stii of August, wlicn the Americans 
were ready to commence offensive operations. 
He immediately sailed towards the harbor, 
and, after receiving and returning the lire of 
several batteries as he passed, he anchored 
between Newport and Conannicut. On the 
morning of the 9th, Lord Howe appeared off 
Point Judith with the whole English squad- 
ron, and Count D'Estaing soon after stood 
out to sea, with the intention of coming to an 
engagement. A violent storm arose which 
dispersed the fleets, and compelled the French 
vessels to return to Newport. 

In the meantime, the British general, on 
ilnding himself seriously threatened, concen- 
trated his force, amounting to about six 
thousand men, in the vicinity of Newport, 
where he occupied an entrenched camp. 
General Sullivan transported his troops, which 
numbered nearly ten thousand, chiefly mili- 
tia, from the continent to the northeast end 
of the island, and, having taken possession 
of a fortified post which the British had 
abandoned, marched toward Newport to be- 
siege the hostile camp at that place. On the 
12th of August, before he had begun the 



288 JOHN SULLIVAN. 

siege, his army was overtaken by the same 
furious storm of wind and rain which the 
French and Enghsh fleets had encountered. 
It blew down the tents, rendered the fire-arms 
unfit for immediate use, and seriously dama- 
ged the ammunition. The soldiers, being 
without shelter, suffered severely, and some 
of them perished in the storm, which lasted 
three days. After it had ceased, the army 
advanced toward the British lines, and be- 
gan the siege. At this juncture, Count D'Es- 
taing returned with his squadron, but, to the 
surprise of General Sullivan, he intimated 
his intention to repair immediately to Boston. 
General Greene and the Marquis De Lafay- 
ette waited on him, and remonstrated against 
his departure, but without effect. They then 
urged him to remain for two days only, which 
he also refused. 

Having been abandoned by the French 
fleet, the American troops were sadly dis- 
heartened; and their numbers began to be 
rapidly thinned by desertion. The situation 
of General Sullivan was very precarious, as, 
without the assistance of a fleet, he could not 
prevent the landing of the reinforcements 



JOHN SULLIVAN. 289 

which were daily expected from New- York. 
On the 26th of August, therefore, he conclu- 
ded to abandon the siege ; and after success- 
fully resisting an attack of the enemy, he sub- 
sequently withdrew to the continent with his 
whole force, together with his artillery, bag- 
gage, stores and boats. His escape was a 
timely one : for Sir Henry Clinton arrived 
on the day after he left the island with four 
thousand men, who had been detained four 
days in the sound by contrary winds. Ge- 
neral Sullivan was so much incensed at the 
failure of the expedition, that he used some 
pretty severe expressions, in a general or- 
der, which gave offence to D'Estaing. The 
French were highly exasperated, and it re- 
quired all the address of Washington to pre- 
vent an open alienation from their new allies. 
The horrid butcheries committed by the 
tories and Indians, under Butler, Brandt, and 
Nellis, in the valley of Wyoming, during the 
summer of 1778, determined the commander- 
in-chief to employ a large detachment of the 
army for their chastisement and subjugation. 
Vt'torthe battle of Monmouth, the fourth 

nsvlvania regiment, with some of Mor- 
19 



290 JOHN SULLIVAN. 

gan's riftemen, commanded by Colonel Wil- 
liam Butler, proceeded to the Indian towns 
of Unadilla and Anaquaquaj near the sour- 
ces of the Susquehannah, and destroyed 
them, together with a large quantity of corn 
laid up for winter use. This was a difficult 
and fatiguing march, but the savages were 
driven to a greater distance from the fron- 
tier. In November, however, their atrocities 
were renewed, by an attack upon the settle- 
ment at Cherry valley, in which thirty-two 
of the inhabitants, chiefly women and chil- 
dren, were murdered and scalped. 

In the spring of 1779 a strong body of 
troops were sent against the Indians. The 
largest division of the army employed on 
that service assembled at Wyoming. An- 
other division, which had wintered on the 
Mohawk, marched under the orders of Ge- 
neral James Clinton, and joined the main 
body at Tioga point, the confluence of the 
two great sources of the Susquehannah. 
On the 26th of August, the united force, 
amounting to nearly five thousand men, un- 
der the command of General Sullivan, pro- 
ceeded up the west branch of the river, 



JOHN SULLIVAN. 291 

which led directly into the Indian country. 
The Indians had become fully acquainted 
with the preparations for this expedition, 
and, notwithstanding the formidable array, 
determined to try the fortune of a battle 
with Sullivan. They were about one thou- 
sand strong, commanded by the two But- 
lers. Guy Johnson, McDonald, and Brandt. 
Having chosen a position above Chemung, 
and a mile in tVont of Newton, they fortified 
their camp, and prepared to meet the Amer- 
ican army. There Sullivan attacked them ; 
and, alKr a short, but spirited resistance, 
they tied with precipitation. The Ameri- 
cans lost thirty men, in killed and wounded; 
the Indians left only eleven dead bodies on 
the field ; but they were so much discouraged 
by their defeat, that they abandoned their 
towns to the victor. At the head of lake Co- 
nesus they again rallied, and attacked the 
advance guard of the army, but they were 
soon obliged to continue their tlight into the 
interior. The orders of General SuUivan 
were, to destroy their villages and crops, so 
as to render the country luiinhabitable for 



292 JOHN SULLIVAN. 

the present; accordingly, ''eighteen villa- 
ges, a number of detached buildings, one 
hundred and sixty thousand bushels of corn, 
and those fruits and vegetables which con- 
duce to the comfort and subsistence of man, 
were utterly destroyed. Five weeks were 
unremittingly employed in this work of de- 
vastation." 

On his return from this expedition, Gene- 
ral Sullivan received the approbation of Con- 
gress, and at the close of the campaign, re- 
signed his commission, in consequence of 
impaired health. He soon after resumed 
the practice of his profession, and became 
distinguished as a lawyer and politician. 
His taste for general literature was also cul- 
tivated with considerable success. He re- 
ceived from Harvard University the degree 
of Master of Arts, and from Dartmouth col- 
lege, that of Doctor of Laws. He was a 
member of the convention which formed the 
constitution of New Hampshire ; was chosen 
to the first council ; and afterwards elected 
chief magistrate of the state, which office 
he held for three years. In 1789, he was 



JOHN SULLIVAN. 293 

appointed Judge of tlie United States District 
Court for the district of New Hampshire, 
and continued in that office until the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1795. 



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